STAND. COM. REP. NO. 974

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 232

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred H.B. No. 232, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify the allowable scope of collective bargaining negotiations regarding the rights and obligations of a public employer.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; University of Hawaii Professional Assembly; United Public Workers, AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO; and Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1463, AFL-CIO.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Human Resources Development, Department of Education, Office of Collective Bargaining, and County of Hawaii Office of the Mayor.

 

     Your Committee finds that government is more effective when public employees share in the decision-making process affecting wages and working conditions.  Fairness in this process and cooperation between parties are essential to a healthy collective bargaining environment.  Your Committee finds that this measure promotes fairness between public employers and respective bargaining units in the joint decision-making process.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of January 7, 2059, to encourage further discussion.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 232, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 232, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

GILBERT S.C. KEITH-AGARAN, Chair