STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2002

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2018

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2018 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MINIMUM WAGE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the minimum wage from $10.10 per hour to $12.00 per hour beginning on October 1, 2022; to $15.00 per hour beginning on January 1, 2024; and to $18.00 per hour beginning January 1, 2026.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Executive Office on Early Learning; Council Chair of the Maui County Council; Americans for Democratic Action, Hawaii; Hawaii Government Employees Association; Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; Pride @ Work - Hawaii; Hawaii Youth Services Network; Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center; United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646; Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations; Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates; Hawaii State Teachers Association; Democratic Party of Hawaii Labor Caucus; Hawaii Workers Center; Leeward Community College Student Government; AAUW of Hawaii; Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development; HOPE Services Hawaii; League of Women Voters Hawaii; Faith Action for Community Equity; Hawaii Workers Center, Raise Up Hawaii; Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; Imua Alliance; Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus; St. Michael the Archangel Parish; Pono Hawaii Initiative; Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action; Living Wage Hawaii; Community Alliance on Prisons; Hawaii State AFL-CIO; Hawaii Building and Construction Trades Council; Leeward Community College Student Government; Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice; International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts, Local 665; Save Medicaid Hawaii; Ai Pohaku; Hawaii Public Health Institute; and numerous individuals.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from Island Pacific Bags, Inc.; Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association; Society of Human Resource Management; National Federation of Independent Business; Hawaii Restaurant Association; Associated Builders and Contractors Hawaii Chapter; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Envisions Entertainment and Productions, Inc.; Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce; Retail Merchants of Hawaii; Magics Beach Grill; Tiki's Grill & Bar; Shorefyre/Skybox; Beast Culinary Company, LLC, d/b/a:  Da Sugar Mill Bistro; Hawaii Republican Party; Language Services Hawaii, LLC; Il Gelato Hawaii; and five individuals.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, Common Cause Hawaii, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Hawaii Food Industry Association, and Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association.

 

     Your Committee finds that incrementally increasing the minimum wage so that it reaches $18.00 per hour beginning on January 1, 2026, is an appropriate way to address inflation and the increased cost of living in the State.

 

     Your Committee requests that, as the minimum wage increases over time, the Department of Budget and Finance ensure that all state employees be paid no less than the applicable minimum wage rate.

 

     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. 2018 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair