Senate Standing Committee on Labor and Technology

Okay. Good afternoon. Labor and Technology has a 3pm agenda. It is Friday, April 4, 2025. We're in Conference Room 224 for consideration of four governor's messages. Okay. This meeting is being streamed live on YouTube.

In the unlikely event that we have to abruptly end this hearing due to technical difficulties, the Committee will reconvene to discuss any outstanding business at 3pm on March. Excuse me. April 8th in room 224. And a public notice will be posted on the Legislature's website.

There will be a one minute testimony limit for testifiers, but we'll go over that for the actual nominees for they will be providing a short statement and that will be unlimited. So you can go on for two minutes or more, depending. Okay. All right. First one is Governor's message 727.

Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Board Gubernatorial nominee Barbara Krieg for a term to expire on June 30, 2029. We do have the nominee. Please proceed.

Good afternoon, Chair Aquino. Any Members of the Committee who are participating? I am Barbara Krieg. I am proud to announce that I have been on the Hawaii Retirement Savings Program Board of Trustees for the past two years. I am very grateful that the Governor has nominated me to for another term, for a four year term.

And I also just wanted to thank anybody who submit a testimony in my support today. You should have my resume. And I also submitted a statement as testimony reiterating my background and just to highlight, hopefully to keep it under a minute.

I do have experience with programs of this sort, having served on the Board of Trustees of the Deferred Compensation Plan for several years when I was the Human Resources Director of the state back in 2011-2014. I am deeply committed to this program.

I believe that it is a very important program that has the capability of making the difference in financial security or not for the retirements of hundreds of thousands of our residents.

And that we're only at the beginning of this program that hopefully will become entrenched in our communities in the same manner that we have as an example, the ers. I'm happy to answer any questions, but as I've said said in my statement, I. I hope that I can continue to serve on this program's Board of Trustees.

It's a wonderful program and. And I believe that I can give some value to make sure that we do operationalize the program as quickly and efficiently as possible. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Okay, up next we have Director, Department of Labor Industrial Relations or Designee.

Hello.

Okay, thank you very much. Y Retirement Savings Board Executive Director.

Good afternoon, Chair Members of the Committee.

The board will stand up and search testimony and support. Okay, thank you very much. ARP Hawaii. For ARP standard.

Okay, thank you very much. We have testimony from Coriane Law, Annette Anderson, both in support. Susan Pang, Gianne Winter Brookins, both in support. And we have late testimony from a David Brookshire Connor. Okay. Also in support. Okay. Any others wish you to testify. GM727 Any questions? Colleagues, I have a quick question for the nominee.

Thank you again for being here. You know, specifically, you know, there's a Bill that's moving along Seneville 855, you know, and you're very familiar with the language of the Bill and the purpose, truly.

So why maybe just for edification and for the edification of those who are here, why would the opt out position or the opt out provision be necessary specifically?

Well, there are a couple of reasons that it is important and necessary. First of all, the whole concept of what we call an auto enroll where it's an opt out has become the gold standard for retirement savings programs. Programs not only for these state run auto IRAs, but also in 401k programs and all retirement savings programs.

They're more effective. It's easier for employees than to be participants in the program. And studies have shown that many more dollars come into those programs much more quickly than if there were to be an opt in.

The specific reason it would be important for us here in Hawaii is that as currently drafted as an opt in, we're the outlier among other states.

And for a small state such as our own, the best realistic option for having an affordable program and a program that can be operationalized as quickly as possible is to enter into a compact with other states.

So the smaller states have now gotten to the point where they're entering into compacts with each other so that you share an administrator, you share investment options, you achieve economies of scale, and as the expenses of operating the program are much less and again, more efficient program as the outlier with an opt in, it is not clear that first of all we would be welcomed into a compact.

And if we were, whether it wouldn't be more expensive, it just complicates our ability to do that. If we as a state were to be forced to go to a standalone program where we're having to do, you know, the RFPs for private administrator investment options, we would not have a cost effective program that way.

We're just not that attractive a market then to the organizations that we would need to run the program.

What are you hoping you would accomplish in this upcoming term?

Within the next four years, I guarantee you, we would have an operationalized, fully operating, robust retirement savings program with tens of thousands of participants and many hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings.

Thank you very much. Member, other questions? Singh, thank you very much. Thank you. Okay, up next, we have Governor's message. Message 744, submitting for consideration and confirmation to the HA Workforce Development Council nominee Amber Akana for a term to expire on June 302029. Okay, thank you.

Good morning, Mr. Good afternoon. Sorry. Mr. Chair and the Chairman and the Labor Board Committee of Tech. Thank you for this opportunity to speak today. I'm honored to be considered for this position on the Hawaii Workforce Development Council. And I'm deeply passionate about the maritime industry and its essential role in Hawaii's economy.

My commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion and workforce development within the maritime sector has been central to my career. I'm dedicated to ensuring that the workforce development programs in Hawaii are inclusive, equitable and responsive to the needs of our diverse industry, communities, and working families.

Hawaii's workforce is one of the greatest assets, and it's crucial that we invest in training opportunities that empower workers to thrive in an ever evolving job market. The experience I've gained from working in this field, particularly in creating opportunities for women and unrepresented groups, has prepared me to make meaningful contributions to this council.

I'm committed to supporting policies and address the unique challenges faced by Hawaiian Hawaii's working families, ensuring they have resources, skills, and support they need to succeed. I look forward to collaborating with others and helping to shape policies that support the growth, sustainability, and resilience of our workforce. Thank you for your consideration.

Thank you very much. Okay, up next, we have the Department of Labor Industrial Relations. Thank you very much. United Public Workers. Okay. Tae Tuli Tafai and support. We have HDA. Okay. Thank you very much. White State Fed AFL CIO President Randy Pereira can support Mario Higa, Marine Firemen Union. Okay. Thank you very much. Okay.

Carol Phillips, testifying for the Hawaii Nurses Association. Okay. And support. Randy Swindell, Hawaii Ports Maritime Council. And support. Patrick Max Weisbart. Patrick Max Weisbart with San Pacific. Stand with the written testimony. Support. Okay. Thank you very much. Edward Romson. Okay. Le Fa' Aanu. Okay. Also in support. Any others wishing to testify? Yes.

Welcome back on the other side. Good afternoon. Chair Aquino, Vice Chair Lee, and Members of the Committee. My name is Bennett Misalucha. Executive Director of the Workforce Development Council.

Our written testimony was submitted today, but I just wanted to reiterate how strongly we support the nominee and that the nominee, along with the two other nominees who are on the hearing notice, have been appropriately vetted by AFL CIO as mandated by federal mandates. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Okay. Any others wish you to testify? Seeing none. Colleagues, any questions? Okay, let's move on to the next governor's message. Okay. GM717. Consideration, confirmation again for the Workforce Development Council nominee is Scott Collins. Term to expire on June 30, 2028.

Chair, Vice Chair, Members of the Committee. My name is Scott Collins, and I've been fortunate enough to serve on the Hawaii Workforce development board since 2022. I believe it's been a great, great experience and I hope to continue. I'm very fortunate the Governor decided to reappoint me to this board.

And with all of my background and experience in the public sector union, I think I can provide valuable experience for the board and especially with all the challenges we have with filling our government workforce coming up. Thank you.

Thank you very much. Okay, up next, again we have Department of Labor Industrial Relations Director Butai or his designee. Excuse me, GM717.

Those.

Thank you very much. Keith De Melo. Okay.

Keith De Melo is not here, but.

I speak on behalf.

Right. First Council strong.

Okay, thank you very much. Up next, we have HGA Chair, Vice Chair Members. H is a strong support. Okay, thank you very much. United Public Workers. Okay. Tulita Fai. Okay. And support Hawaii State Fed AFL CIO Randy Pereira. Okay. Also in support, Hawaii Nurses Association, Carol Phillips, Randy Swindell of the Hawaii Ports Maritime Council. Okay.

Both in support, William Roll. Individual testimony in support. Any others wishing to testify? Seeing none. Members, any questions? Seeing none. Thank you very much. Let's move on to the very last one. Governor's message 728. Consideration and confirmation to.

Again, the Hawaii Workforce Development Council nominee is Paneme Atonga III for a term to expire on June 30, 2029. Members and also Members of the public. He did, you know, reach out to our office and let us know that he is currently traveling to Washington, D.C. on union business.

And he really wished he could be here, but there's numerous testimonies and support, and we're gonna go through them right now. Up first, we have Department of Labor Industrial Relations. Okay, thank you very much. Keith Demelo again for Workforce Development Council.

Standing testimony. Strong support.

Okay, thank you. Okay. United Public Workers and support. HGA. Okay. Thank you very much. Hawaiian Nurses Association, Carol Phillips. Support Laie Community Association Verlamore. And support Hawaii State Fed AFL CIO President Randy Pereira. And support Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii Inc. Antoinette Davis. And support Operating Engineers Local three, Anatuya Sopo. Okay.

Also in support, Alfred Grace of Polynesian Cultural Center. In support, Hawaii Lesset. Also in support, Randy Swindell of the Hawaii Ports Maritime Council. Also in support, Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters. Support Pacific Resource Partnership, Andrew Perera. Okay. And support Christian Fern of upa. And support Lee John Williamson. Julie Morikawa, Joy Kimura. Okay, all in support.

Any others wishing to testify? Seeing none. Members, any questions? No questions. Well, this must be Friday. Just kidding colleagues. Okay, we're gonna take a brief recess. Recess. Okay. Reconvening our 3:00pm agenda for decision making. First, we have Governor's message 727.

Consideration and confirmation to the Hawaii Retirement Savings Board nominee Barbara Cree for a term to expire June 30, 2029. Members, the recommendation is to advise and consent. Any questions or concerns. Colleagues, Vice Chair for the vote.

Chair bowtie voting on GM 727. The recommendation is to advise and consent. Chair and Vice Chair vote aye. Senator Yahara. Aye. Senator Moriwaki. Aye. And Senator Favela. Aye. Share the recommendations adopted.

Okay, thank you very much. Moving on to Governor's message 744. Consideration and confirmation to the Hawaii Workforce Development council nominee Amber O' Connor for a term to expire on June 302029 as well. Members, the recommendation is to advise and consent. Questions to concern. Seeing none.

Vice Chair voting on GM744. Recommendation is to advise and consent. Chair and Vice Chair vote. Excuse me. Noting all Members present. Are there any reservations or nos? Seeing none. The recommendations adopted.

Okay, thank you very much, colleagues. Moving on to GM717. Considering confirmation to again the Hawaii Workforce Development Council nominee Scott Collins for a term to expire on June 30, 2028. Recommendation is to advise and consent. Questions to concern Seeing none.

Vice Chair voting on GM717. Recommendation is to advise and consent. Noting all Members present. Are there any reservations or notes?

Seeing none. Recommendations adopted. Thank you very much, colleagues. And onto the last GM728. Okay. Consideration and confirmation to the again, Hawaii Workforce Development Council nominee Panemeo Tonga III for a term to expire on June 30, 2029. Recommendation is to advise and consent. Okay.

Vice Chair for the bill. Voting on GM728 the recommendation is to advise and consent noting all Members present. Are there any reservations or nos seeing none.

The recommendations adopted. Okay, so on behalf of the labor and Technology Committee, we'd like to again congratulate all the nominees both present. Congratulations. Thank you for your hard work and dedication and willingness to support the State of Hawaii. Thank you very much. No further business. Re adjourned.

Sam.