State lawmakers mull over unfunded liabilities

Hawaii lawmakers are investigating the problem of the growing cost of state retiree health care.

More than a dozen bills addressing the issue have been introduced in the House.

A special House committee charged with addressing unfunded liabilities learned about the future cost of the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Trust Fund and ways to finance it during an informational briefing Monday.

Rep. Cindy Evans (D, North Kona-South Kohala) says the state needs to consider setting tighter parameters for the program given an aging population and costs rising in the future.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie said in his State of the State address last month that he wants to prioritize financing rising state employee pension and health care deficits this session.