Bill Text: HI SB2397 | 2018 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Telecommuting.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2018-03-23 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) C. Lee, Lowen, McDermott, Souki, Tokioka excused (5). [SB2397 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-SB2397-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2397 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
H.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO TELECOMMUTING.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Traffic-related congestion on Hawaii's roadways continues to increase every year. The morning and evening commutes are marked by long delays and increased time spent on the road as thousands of vehicles traverse Hawaii's highways and streets. With longer commute times, the working people of Hawaii are spending more time in their vehicles instead of using that time productively at work or at home with their families.
The increase in vehicles on Hawaii's roadways results in the people of Hawaii becoming more dependent on foreign fossil fuel sources. Currently, Hawaii has one of the highest prices for gas in the nation. In comparison to their mainland peers, the workers of Hawaii are using a larger percentage of their disposable income to pay for transportation to work. Many workers who commute to work by car will continue or increase Hawaii's reliance on foreign fossil fuel sources, creating carbon emissions that contribute to the deterioration of Hawaii's fragile environment.
The legislature finds that numerous studies across the nation have demonstrated that telecommuting provides an opportunity for employers to increase employee productivity, decrease employee sick leave, increase the labor pool, and even improve employee retention. The growth of telecommuting is partly attributable to the greater availability of broadband technology, employees placing a greater emphasis on work-life balance, rising office rents, and improvements in internet security.
The legislature further finds that telecommuting is a practical solution to environmental concerns and quality of life issues that arise because of long commutes to work. Hawaii should lead by example and further encourage, promote, and increase efforts to adopt telecommuting as a workplace alternative to increase employee productivity, boost employee morale, and join in worldwide efforts to reduce air pollution.
The purpose of this Act is to establish a temporary telecommuting task force to develop incentives and recommendations to encourage and expand telecommuting opportunities in the public and private sectors.
SECTION
2. (a) There is established the
telecommuting task force within the department of human resources development
for administrative purposes only.
(b) The department of human resources development shall assist the task force, including by providing data, as appropriate.
(c) The task force shall be composed of the
following members:
(1) Two members to be appointed by the president of the senate, one of whom shall be from the public sector and one of whom shall be from the private business sector;
(2) Two members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, one of whom shall be from the public sector and one of whom shall be from the private business sector;
(3) The director of business,
economic development, and tourism, or the director's designee;
(4) The director of human resources development,
or the director's designee;
(5) The director of labor and industrial
relations, or the director's designee;
(6) The director of transportation, or the director's
designee;
(7) The chief information officer, or the
officer's designee;
(8) A member from the Hawaii Government Employees Association appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and
(9) A member from a local business organization
appointed by the president of the senate.
The
director of human resources development shall serve as chairperson of the task
force.
(d) The task force shall:
(1) Develop incentives and recommendations to encourage and expand telecommuting opportunities in the public and private sectors throughout the State that will help to alleviate the high cost of commuting, reduce Hawaii's dependence on fossil fuel, reduce traffic congestion on Hawaii's roadways, and provide the workers of Hawaii with an opportunity to spend more time either working from home or with their families, rather than in traffic;
(2) Establish subcommittees within the task force to address issues specific to public sector and private sector employees;
(3) Develop a public awareness campaign plan;
(4) Study and analyze the telecommuting policies of the federal government and jurisdictions that are similar in size to Hawaii; and
(5) Address any other matters deemed relevant by the task force.
(e) The task force shall submit a draft report to the legislative reference bureau no later than June 30, 2019. The legislative reference bureau shall assist the task force with finalizing the report and drafting any proposed legislation. The task force shall submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than August 1, 2019.
SECTION
3. The telecommuting task
force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2020.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Telecommuting Task Force; Department of Human Resources Development
Description:
Establishes a temporary telecommuting task force to develop incentives and recommendations to encourage and expand telecommuting opportunities in the public and private sectors. (SB2397 HD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
