STAND. COM. REP. NO.  330

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1097

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1097 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ASSISTANCE FOR AGED, BLIND, AND PERMANENTLY AND TOTALLY DISABLED PERSONS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to determine the assistance amount for the State-funded Assistance for Aged, Blind, and Permanently and Totally Disabled (AABD) public assistance program based on caseload and the total amount appropriated by the Legislature.

 

     The Department of Human Services (DHS) testified in support of this bill.  The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii (LASH), the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, the National Association of Social Workers, and several concerned individuals testified in opposition to this measure.

 

     Several concerns were raised that this bill effectively changes AABD from an entitlement program into a block-grant program.  It was stated that this would expose one of the most vulnerable populations to fluctuations in benefits by basing allowance amounts on Legislative appropriations and caseload.  In addition, it was pointed out that it is difficult to modify the program or add funds once a block grant is established.  Since the AABD program is specifically geared toward individuals unable to qualify for federal assistance, it is important to maintain a safety net by keeping the level of assistance stable and predictable.

 

     Your Committee emphasizes that DHS, LASH, and members of the Financial Assistance Advisory Committee have agreed to work together on this issue to craft language for legislation that takes into account both the needs of those receiving AABD and the fiscal concerns of the State.

 

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this bill by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to January 1, 2050, to             encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity,      consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1097, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1097, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair