Bill Text: HI SB798 | 2018 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Telecommuting.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2017-11-30 - Carried over to 2018 Regular Session. [SB798 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-SB798-Amended.html
|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
798 |
|
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017 |
S.D. 1 |
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
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 automobiles 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 automobiles 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 continuing to 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. Telecommuting task force; membership; duties; reporting. (a) There is established the telecommuting task force within the department of business, economic development, and tourism for administrative purposes only.
(b) For purposes of this Act:
(1) The telecommuting task force shall collaborate with the department of human resources development; and
(2) 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 president of the University of Hawaii system, or the president's designee;
(6) A member from the Hawaii Government Employees Association appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and
(7) A member from a local business organization appointed by the president of the senate.
The members of the task force shall collectively appoint a chairperson of the task force from amongst themselves.
(d) The telecommuting 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 that address issues specific to public sector and private sector employees;
(3) Develop a public awareness campaign plan; and
(4) Address any other matters deemed relevant by the task force.
(e) The telecommuting task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than August 1, 2018. The legislative reference bureau shall provide administrative and staffing support to the telecommuting task force in drafting the report.
SECTION 3. The telecommuting task force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2019.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on January 7, 2059.
Report Title:
Telecommuting Task Force; Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; 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. Takes effect 1/7/2059. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
