Report Title:

Emergency appropriation for the state workers' compensation program.

Description:

Appropriates additional emergency funds for the state workers compensation program, for FY 2003-2004. (SB2941 HD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2941

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

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

 

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

SECTION 1. This Act is being recommended by the governor for immediate passage, in accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.

SECTION 2. Act 200, Section 72, Session Laws of Hawaii 2003, appropriated $4,993,726 to the department of human resources development, for the payment of claims against the State, as required by chapter 386, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2003, and ending June 30, 2004.

At this time, however, a critical funding crisis exists. It is estimated that the state workers' compensation fund will be exhausted by January 31, 2004, and the department will not be able to meet its legal obligation to fund the health and welfare benefits that the state workers' compensation claimants are entitled to receive.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys to allow the State to meet its legal obligation to pay for the workers' compensation claims under chapter 386, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $3,055,896 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004 for the payment of claims against the State as required by chapter 386, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human resources development for the payment of workers' compensation claims.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2010.