STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1293

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 739

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 739, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE TO NEEDY FAMILIES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate federal temporary assistance for needy families funds for various child care services, cash benefits, work training programs, teenage pregnancy prevention education programs, child protective services, and other social services programs.

 

     The measure also transfers temporary assistance for needy families program funds to the social services block grant and the child development fund to fund programs tailored to Hawaii's neediest families.

 

Your Committee received five written comments on this measure.  The written comments may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Your Committee finds that the neediest families and individuals in our society are the most severely impacted by the current economic downturn.  Your Committee believes that it is imperative to continue to expend federal temporary assistance for needy families funds to supply essential health, education, employment, and economic assistance in the most efficient and effective manner for these persons.

 

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

(1)  Changing the amount of the appropriations to an unspecified amount;

 

(2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion; and

 

(3)  Making technical non-substantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 739, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 739, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

____________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair