Report Title:

Telecommuting

Description:

Requires the department of human resources development to formulate and implement a statewide policy on telecommuting for state employees.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

33

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to state government.

 

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

SECTION 1. Traffic-related congestion on Hawaii's roadways continues to increase and worsen every year. The morning and evening commutes are marked by long delays and increased time spend on the road as thousands of cars are on the State's highways and streets. With longer commute times, Hawaii residents are spending more time in their cars as opposed to using that time productively at work or with their families. Additionally, more cars on Hawaii's roadways increases Hawaii's dependence on imported fossil fuel. With some of the highest gas prices in the nation, Hawaii consumers are paying more for transportation-related costs than their mainland counterparts. Further, this does not encourage the use of energy efficient or renewable energy technologies and strategies in order to reduce Hawaii's dependence on imported fossil fuels. Moreover, the increased use of fossil fuels is also not safe for Hawaii's fragile environment.

The legislature finds that across the nation, telecommuting has emerged as a viable workplace alternative arrangement. On the federal level, roughly five per cent of the federal work force telecommutes, representing more than ninety thousand employees across seventy-seven agencies. On the state level, nine states have enacted state telecommuting policies for state employees. Further, the legislature also finds that studies across the nation demonstrate that telecommuting provides an opportunity for employers to increase employee productivity, decrease employee sick leave, increase the labor pool, and improve employee retention. The increase in telecommuting is attributable to greater availability of broadband technology, employees placing a greater emphasis on work-life balance, rising office rents, and improvements in internet security.

The purpose of this Act is to implement a statewide telecommuting policy for state employees in order to reduce Hawaii's dependence on fossil fuel, significantly reduce traffic congestion on Hawaii's roadways, and afford Hawaii residents more time with their families.

SECTION 2. Chapter 76, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§76-   State telecommuting policy for state employees. (a) The director, in cooperation with other state agencies, shall establish a comprehensive statewide telecommuting policy under which eligible employees of state agencies, as determined by their respective state agency, may participate.

(b) State agencies shall review their work operations and identify job functions eligible to participate in telecommuting.

(c) The director shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 for developing, coordinating, and administering the telecommuting program.

(d) For the purposes of this section, "telecommuting" means an alternative work arrangement whereby selected state employees perform the normal duties and responsibilities of their position through the use of telecommunication devices, either at home or another place apart from the employee's usual place of work."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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