STAND. COM. REP. NO.  559-14

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2579

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2579 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to provide that compromises for workers' compensation claims reached as a result of a third-party liability claim or action do not require the approval of the Director of Labor and Industrial Relations.

 

     The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Human Resources Development provided comments.  

 

     Your Committee notes that the intent of this measure is not to remove the Director of Labor and Industrial Relation's original jurisdiction over all workers' compensation controversies and disputes.  Specifically, this bill shall not impact the Director's powers over controversies and disputes that may arise out of a third party claim, or to recognize and enforce the employer's credit against future workers' compensation benefits when the employee receives net proceeds from a settlement.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2579 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair