STAND. COM. REP. NO.335

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 1224

 

 

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. 1224 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE WEEKLY UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to eliminate the benefit offset for persons receiving unemployment compensation benefits.

The Hawaii State AFL-CIO and Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees, Local 5, AFL-CIO, testified in support of this measure. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations submitted comments on the measure.

In Hawaii, many people must work multiple jobs to support themselves and their families. Those who qualify for unemployment due to the loss of one job, but continue to have earnings from part-time employment have their benefits offset by weekly earnings in excess of $50. Your Committee finds that this offset penalizes those who are laid off, but who continue to undertake gainful employment, and hinders their ability to provide their families with the basic necessities of life. Therefore, this measure abolishes the offset for benefit weeks beginning January 21, 2003, and thereafter.

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. 1224 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