Report Title:

Telework; Task Force; DBEDT; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes the telework task force to develop a comprehensive plan that will encourage and expand telework opportunities in Hawaii while reducing harmful environmental impacts, traffic congestion, the dependence on fossil fuels, and encourage a better quality of life for people who commute to work in Hawaii.  Makes an appropriation.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1502

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to telework.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  Traffic-related congestion on Hawaii's roadways continues to increase every year.  The morning and evening commutes are marked by long delays and increased time spent on the road as thousands of automobiles traverse Hawaii's highways and streets.  With longer commute times, the working people of Hawaii are spending more time in their vehicles instead of using that time productively at work or home with their families.

     The increase in automobiles on Hawaii's roadways means that the people of Hawaii are becoming more dependent on foreign fossil fuel sources.  Currently, Hawaii has one of the highest prices for gas in the nation.  In comparison to their mainland peers, the workers of Hawaii are using a larger percentage of their disposable income to pay for transportation to work.  Massive commutes to work by car will continue to force Hawaii to rely on foreign fossil fuel sources and also continue to allow carbon emissions to deteriorate Hawaii's fragile environment.

     The legislature finds that the concept of telecommuting to work has emerged as a viable workplace alternative.  According to a federal Office of Personnel Management survey in 2004, more than twenty-three million workers in the United States telecommuted to work.  In 2002, a private research firm reported that thirty-five per cent of all employees in the United States used a home computer for work-related purposes.  As of 2005, roughly five per cent of the federal workforce telecommuted to work and nine states have enacted state telecommuting policies.  Today, the numbers reported in each of the studies mentioned above have likely increased because of the advancements in technology, escalating traffic congestion, rising transportation costs, health concerns, or environmental reasons.

     The legislature finds that numerous studies across the nation have demonstrated that telecommuting provides an opportunity for employers to increase employee productivity, decrease employee sick leave, increase the labor pool, and even improve employee retention.  The growth of telecommuting is partly attributable to the greater availability of broadband technology, employees placing a greater emphasis on work-life balance, rising office rents, and improvements in internet security.

     The legislature further finds that telecommuting is a practical solution to environmental concerns and quality of life issues that arise because of long commutes to work.  Hawaii should lead by example and further encourage, promote, and increase efforts to adopt telecommuting as an alternative work environment so as to increase employee productivity, boost employee morale, and join in the worldwide efforts to reduce air pollution.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a temporary telework task force.  The task force shall develop a comprehensive plan to encourage and expand telework opportunities in both the public and private sectors that will help to alleviate the high transportation-related expenses of commuting, reduce Hawaii's dependence on fossil fuel, reduce traffic congestion on Hawaii's roadways, and provide the workers of Hawaii with an opportunity to spend more time either working from home or with their families, rather than in traffic.

     SECTION 2.  Telework task force.  (a)  There is established the temporary telework task force within the department of business, economic development, and tourism for administrative purposes only, to work in coordination with the department of human resources development.  The task force shall be comprised of the following:

     (1)  Two members appointed by the president of the senate, one of which shall be from the public sector and one of which shall be from the private business sector;

     (2)  Two members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one of which shall be from the public sector and one of which shall be from the private business sector;

     (3)  The director of business, economic development, and tourism, or the director's designee, who shall co‑chair the task force;

     (4)  The director of human resources development, or the director's designee, who shall co-chair the task force;

     (5)  The president of the University of Hawaii, or the president's designee;

     (6)  A member from the Hawaii government employees association appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

     (7)  A member from a local business organization appointed by the president of the senate.

     (b)  The telework task force shall:

     (1)  Develop a comprehensive plan to encourage and expand telework opportunities in both the public and private sectors that will help to alleviate the high transportation-related expenses of commuting, reduce Hawaii's dependence on fossil fuel, reduce traffic congestion on Hawaii's roadways, and provide the workers of Hawaii with an opportunity to spend more time either working from home or with their families, rather than in traffic;

     (2)  Establish subcommittees within the task force that address issues specific to public sector and private sector employees;

     (3)  Develop a public awareness campaign plan; and

     (4)  Address any other matters deemed relevant by the task force.

     SECTION 3.  The members of the telework task force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses necessary for the performance of their duties, including travel expenses.

     SECTION 4.  The telework task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than August 1, 2010.

     SECTION 5.  The telework task force shall cease to exist upon the filing of its findings and recommendations pursuant to section 4 of this Act.

     SECTION 6.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009-2010 for the purpose of supporting the telework task force established by this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2009.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________