HI HR89

Requests the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to establish a temporary Economic Opportunity Poverty Reduction Task Force to assess state policies promoting economic opportunities and develop a comprehensive poverty reduction plan.

Task Force must study and evaluate policies addressing family asset building, educational opportunities, workforce quality jobs, sustainable tax policies, and work-support issues.

Task Force must develop a strategic plan by December 22, 2015, to reduce the number of Hawaii residents living in poverty by at least 50 percent by 2021.

Task Force composition includes one House member, one Senate member, one Governor appointee, and two community organization representatives with poverty reduction expertise, with initial appointments due by August 1, 2015.

Task Force must submit findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation if any, to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2017 Regular Session, with the Task Force terminating on December 22, 2017.