Bill Text: HI SB1127 | 2021 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Making An Emergency Appropriation For The Department Of Human Services.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2021-04-21 - Act 008, 04/20/2021 (Gov. Msg. No. 1108). [SB1127 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2021-SB1127-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1127 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
H.D. 2 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. This Act is recommended
by the governor for immediate passage in accordance with article VII, section 9,
of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.
SECTION 2. Act 9, Session
Laws of Hawaii 2020, appropriated a certain designated sum to the department of
human services to provide funds for the general assistance program under the benefit,
employment and support services division for the fiscal period beginning July 1,
2020, and ending June 30, 2021.
A critical funding emergency exists. Pursuant to section 346-53(b), Hawaii Revised
Statutes, the general assistance program operates as a block grant program. Currently, depending upon the amount appropriated
by the legislature, the monthly maximum allowance a general assistance recipient
may receive is determined by dividing the amount of the appropriation by the number
of general assistance recipients; though per section 346‑71(d), Hawaii Revised
Statutes, the maximum allowance shall not exceed sixty-two and one-half per cent
of the standard of need. The current monthly
general assistance amount is $388 or forty-one per cent of the standard of need. The standard of need is based upon the 2006 federal
poverty level.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of individuals receiving
general assistance benefits increased more than thirty-one per cent from February
through October 2020. Based upon the October
caseload of 6,814, the department projects the general assistance program will expend
all appropriated funds before the end of the current fiscal year and the department
will be unable to maintain the current monthly general assistance allowance of $388
to the projected caseload of 6,834 general assistance recipients.
The current monthly allowance of $388 is barely enough to cover living
expenses for disabled individuals on a fixed income who have no other viable means
of support. Stopping the grant payment or
reducing the amount of the grant payment for these recipients poses a real threat
to their health and safety. Additional funds
are urgently needed to prevent the reduction of general assistance payments in the
fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020-2021.
The department anticipates that the high monthly caseload will continue,
and the department projects an $8,400,000 shortfall for state fiscal year 2020-2021.
In Act 196, Session Laws of Hawaii 2015, the legislature established
the interim assistance reimbursement special fund to receive federal reimbursements
paid to the State by the United States Social Security Administration for general
assistance payments. Reimbursements paid
after the end of the fiscal year are retained by the department and deposited into
the interim assistance reimbursement special fund to meet shortfalls in the general
assistance program in the event of economic downturn.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic downturn, the department
withdrew $202,222.97 from the interim assistance reimbursement
special fund to meet program shortfalls in the last quarter of the state fiscal
year 2019-2020.
For
the current state fiscal year, the department anticipates withdrawing the entire
$3,000,000 from the interim assistance reimbursement special fund and that withdrawals
may begin in December 2020.
The department requires an emergency appropriation for state fiscal
year 2020-2021.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated
out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $3,200,000 or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 to be used for general assistance
payments.
SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the
department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
General Support for General Assistance Payments (HMS 204); Emergency Appropriation
Description:
Makes an emergency appropriation from the general revenues of the State of Hawaii for fiscal year 2020-2021 to address the budget shortfall for the general support for the general assistance program (HMS 204) in the department of human services. (HD2)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
