LABOR & PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT, FINANCE COMMITTEES HEAR TESTIMONY ON BILL TO SUPPORT WORKING FAMILIES

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –The House Committee on Labor & Public Employment and the Committee on Finance heard and received testimony from hundreds of groups and individuals in a joint hearing today on HB 2541.

Committee Chairs Aaron Ling Johanson and Sylvia Luke adjourned the hearing after nearly two hours saying no decision on the bill would be made today to allow members to read all the testimony before coming to a decision.

A separate notice will be issued for an upcoming hearing on decision making.

The bill, titled Relating to Helping Working Families, makes the state earned income tax credit refundable and permanent, and increases the refundable food/excise tax credit. In addition, the bill increases the minimum wage rate to $11 per hour beginning on 1/1/2021, $12 per hour beginning on 1/1/2022, $12.50 per hour beginning on 1/1/2023, and $13 per hour beginning on 1/1/2024.

HB 2541 is part of a joint economic package by the House and Senate, and supported by the Ige Administration to address Hawaii's cost of living obstacles.

Read more at: Working Class Economic Support Package, Star Advertiser Editorial: Working Families Need More Relief, "ALICE: A Study of Financial Hardship in Hawaii."