HI HR143

Requests the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to convene a working group to improve access to government services for immigrants and increase their civic and economic contributions to Hawaii.

Working group membership includes the Governor, Director of Labor and Industrial Relations, Executive Director of the Office of Community Services, Executive Director of the Office of Language Access, and representatives from the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights and Inter-Agency Council for Immigrant Services.

Notes that immigrants comprise 18 percent of Hawaii's population (256,000 persons as of 2018) and contribute over $668 million in state and local taxes while working in agriculture (40 percent), tourism and hospitality (33 percent), and health care (23 percent).

Identifies that the Office of Community Services, established in 1985 to serve low-income immigrant and refugee communities, has shifted nearly all staffing and funds to low-income communities with minimal focus on immigrant-specific services.

Requires the working group to submit a report with findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation no later than 20 days before the 2022 Regular Session convenes.