STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1298-08

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

 

RE:   S.B. No. 3228

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred S.B. No. 3228 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ADJUSTING THE ANNUAL PENSIONS OF RETIRED PATIENT EMPLOYEES AT HANSEN'S DISEASE FACILITIES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to provide additional support for retired patient employees and patient laborers of Hansen's disease facilities by raising their pension amounts.

 

     The Department of Health testified in support of this bill.

 

     Retired patient employees of the State's Hansen's disease treatment facilities have provided valuable services to their immediate communities and to the residents of the state.  However, these patient employees are not part of the State Employees Retirement System and therefore do not receive the annual cost of living increases received by other state pensioners.  These individuals' pension increases need to be accomplished through statutory changes, and the last increase occurred in 1990.  Increasing their pensions at this time is an appropriate action.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3228 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Public Employment,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

ALEX M. SONSON, Chair