HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2004

COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT

Rep. Marcus R. Oshiro, Chair

Rep. Bob Nakasone, Vice Chair

Rep. Kirk Caldwell

Rep. Brian K. Blundell

Rep. Ken Ito

Rep. Mark S. Moses

Rep. Romy M. Mindo

Rep. David A. Pendleton

Rep. Joseph M. Souki

NOTICE OF HEARING

DATE:

Friday, February 19, 2004

TIME:

8:30 a.m.

PLACE:

Conference Room 309

State Capitol

415 South Beretania Street

A G E N D A

The Committee will be hearing the following companion bills to measures previously reported this year. To assist the Committee in its review of these measure, the public is requested to focus their testimony on the differences between the House and Senate positions, as embodied in the respective companion bill.

SB 2873

SD1

(SSCR2690)

RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

Establishes the employer contributions to the Employees' Retirement System at 15.75% of the member's compensation for police and firefighters and 13.75% of the member's compensation for all other employees beginning in FY 2005-2006. Eliminates the separate computation of contributions for the Early Incentive Retirement Plan and includes in the total contributions computed as a stated percentage of compensation payment for the remaining amounts due for the plan as of June 30, 2005. (SD1)

LAB, FIN

     

HOUSE COMPANION

HB 2398

HD2

(HSCR723-04)

RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

Establishes the employer contributions to the Employees' Retirement System at 15.75 percent of the member's compensation for police and firefighters and 13.75 percent of the member's compensation for all other employees beginning in FY 2005-2006. Eliminates the separate computation of contributions for the Early Incentive Retirement Plan and includes in the total contributions computed as a stated percentage of compensation payment for the remaining amounts due for the Plan as of June 30, 2005. (HB2398 HD2)

 
     

SB 2878

SD2

(SSCR2691)

RELATING TO THE FEDERAL TAX LIMIT ON COMPENSATION APPLICABLE TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

Applies the federal tax limits on pension compensation effective 7/1/96, and adds a non-tax-qualified arrangement to protect benefits accrued in excess of the federal tax limits for the period 7/1/96, through 6/30/04. Appropriates $357,350 to pay the non-tax-qualified benefits. (SD2)

LAB, FIN

     

HOUSE COMPANION

HB 2403

HD1

(HSCR708-04)

RELATING TO THE FEDERAL TAX LIMIT ON COMPENSATION APPLICABLE TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

Applies the federal tax limits on pension compensation effective 7/1/96, and adds a nontax-qualified arrangement to protect benefits accrued in excess of the federal tax limits for the period 7/1/96, through 6/30/04. Appropriates an unspecified amount of funds to pay the nontax-qualified benefits. (HB2403 HD1)

 
     

SB 2879

SD2

(SSCR2692)

RELATING TO FEDERAL TAX QUALIFICATION OF THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

Incorporates federal tax provisions relating to pension plans of state and local government. Incorporates some of the required provisions into ERS law, and authorizes the board of trustees to adopt as rules the remainder of the required provisions that are not presently part of the ERS law rules. Provides the board of trustees the power of expedited rulemaking authority for the limited purpose of adopting rules to comply with the requirements of IRC section 401(a). (SD2)

LAB, FIN

     

HOUSE COMPANION

HB 2404

HD1

(HSCR715-04)

RELATING TO FEDERAL TAX QUALIFICATION OF THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

Incorporates some of the required provisions into chapter 88 and authorizes the Board of Trustees to adopt as rules the remainder of the required provisions that are not presently part of chapter 88 or the rules of the ERS. Incorporates federal tax provisions relating to pension plans of State and local government. Gives the Board of Trustees expedited rulemaking authority for the limited purpose of adopting rules to comply with the requirements of IRC section 401 (a). (HB2404 HD1)

 
     

SB 2941

(SSCR2694)

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR THE STATE WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAM.

Appropriates additional emergency funds ($4,993,726) for the state workers compensation program, for FY 2003-2004.

LAB, FIN

     

HOUSE COMPANION

HB 2466

(HSCR684-04)

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR THE STATE WORKERS' COMPENSATION PROGRAM.

Appropriates additional emergency funds ($4,993,726) for the state workers' compensation program, for FY 2003-2004.

 

SB 3018

SD2

(SSCR2695)

RELATING TO PENSION AND RETIREMENT SYSTEMS.

Provides that if a police officer who suffers from a service-connected disability continues public service in any position other than as a police officer, the member's retirement allowance shall be 2-1/2% of the member's average final compensation for each year of credited service as a police officer. (SD2)

LAB, FIN

     

HOUSE COMPANION

HB 2262

HD1

(HSCR722-04)

RELATING TO PENSION AND RETIREMENT SYSTEMS.

Provides that if a police officer who suffers from a service-connected disability continues public service in any position other than as a police officer, the member's retirement allowance shall be 2-1/2% of the member's average final compensation for each year of credited service as a police officer. (HB2262 HD1)

 
     

SB 3175

SD2

(SSCR2698)

RELATING TO FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES.

Authorizes the governor, on behalf of the State, to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the extension of benefits of the hospital insurance system to employees of the State and its political subdivisions. Extends the benefits of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to employees of the political subdivisions of State. Requires the EWC to fund costs associated with the purposes of this Act as it applies to EWC employees. (SD2)

LAB/HSH, FIN

     

HOUSE COMPANION

HB 2713

HD2

(HSCR725-04)

RELATING TO SOCIAL SECURITY FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES.

Extends additional social security benefits to employees of the East-West Center. (HB2713 HD2)

 
     

SB 3180

SD1

(SSCR2595)

RELATING TO EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS.

Establishes that deputy directors and special assistant positions of executive departments not specifically authorized by statute are subject to position justification requirements and legislative review. (SD1)

LAB, FIN

     

HOUSE COMPANION

HB 2741

HD1

(HSCR750-04)

RELATING TO EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS.

Establishes that deputy directors and special assistant positions of executive departments not specifically authorized by statute are subject to position justification requirements and legislative review. (HB2741 HD1)

 

 

 

DECISION MAKING TO FOLLOW

PERSONS WISHING TO TESTIFY ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT 40 COPIES OF THEIR TESTIMONY AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE HEARING TO: (1) THE COMMITTEE'S VICE CHAIR IN ROOM 424, STATE CAPITOL, OR (2) THE HOUSE SGT.-AT-ARMS TESTIMONY DROP OFF BOX IN THE TURNAROUND AREA OF THE CAPITOL BASEMENT PARKING LOT. TESTIMONY MAY BE FAXED TO THE HOUSE SGT.-AT-ARMS OFFICE AT: 586-6501 (OAHU) OR 1-800-535-3859 (NEIGHBOR ISLANDS). WHEN FAXING, PLEASE INDICATE TO WHOM THE TESTIMONY IS BEING SUBMITTED, THE DATE AND TIME OF THE HEARING, AND THE REQUIRED NO. OF COPIES THAT IS NEEDED FOR SUBMITTAL.

IT IS ALSO REQUESTED THAT THE COPIES BE ON ONE SIDE OF AN 8-1/2" X 11" SHEET WITH TWO HOLES PUNCHED AT THE TOP. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT 586-8505.

IF YOU REQUIRE SPECIAL ASSISTANCE OR AUXILIARY AIDS AND/OR SERVICES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS OF THE STATE HOUSE (I.E., SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER, WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY, OR PARKING DESIGNATED FOR THE DISABLED), PLEASE CONTACT THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT LEAST 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE HEARING SO ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE MADE.

 

 

________________________________________

Rep. Marcus R. Oshiro

Chair