STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1461-12

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

 

RE:   H.C.R. No. 160

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 160 entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON ASSET LIMITS TO QUALIFY FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Human Services to conduct a study on asset limits for individuals and families seeking to qualify for public assistance.  Specifically, this measure:

 

     (1)  Requests that the study include a review and evaluation of information on practices, policies, and trends regarding asset limits, and the applicability of asset limits to the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program, Temporary Assistance to Other Needy Families Program, and the MedQuest Program; and

                 

     (2)  Requests the Department of Human Services to consider the cost implications related to changing these asset limits and for the Department to submit a report of its findings and any proposed legislation, including recommendations for appropriate changes to asset limits, to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2013.

 

     The Office of Hawaiian Affairs and a concerned individual supported the measure.  The Department of Human Services offered comments on the measure.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 160 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

 

 

		____________________________ JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair