STAND. COM. REP. NO.334

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 1069

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 1069 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO UNEMPLOYMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide additional benefits to unemployed workers through the extension of unemployment insurance benefits.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.

Comments were submitted by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) indicating that DLIR was not taking a position on this measure, but voicing concerns.

Your Committee finds that the events of September 11, 2001, resulted in an unprecedented number of individuals being laid-off from their jobs, experiencing work furloughs, or suffering from decreased work hours. This fallout, compounded with the fact that over the last several years Hawaii's economy has experienced a significant downturn, particularly in the visitor industry, and the unpredictability of global events, require the need for action to assist those individuals who are and will continue to be affected by the current economic climate.

Your Committee believes in the necessity of this measure as a precautionary mechanism, pending action by the federal government to provide an extended unemployment benefits program, and in anticipation of the further escalation of global events.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1069, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor,

____________________________

BRIAN KANNO, Chair