STAND. COM. REP. NO. 966

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     S.B. No. 529

        S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 529, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to temporarily establish dedicated positions for the purpose of improving the ability of certain departments to secure grants and other funding opportunities.

 

Specifically, this measure appropriates funds for a pilot project within the departments of Human Services and Health to hire capture managers and support positions responsible for writing and applying for grants, along with managing grants successfully secured.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and Hawaii Primary Care Association.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

 

     Your Committee finds that while the departments of Human Services and Health currently pursue grants and technical assistance opportunities, having dedicated individuals to design, submit, and coordinate the grant applications would improve the ability of the departments to pursue additional funding sources and expend any additional funds for the betterment of the individuals who receive benefits or services from the departments.

 

Your Committee acknowledges the concerns expressed by the Department of the Attorney General regarding an arguable violation of Article III, section 14, of the Hawaii State Constitution by the inclusion in the measure of appropriations for the Department of Health.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

 

     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 S.B. No. 529, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 529, S.D. 2.

 

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair