Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 459 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to transfer control of the land, buildings, and facilities at Kahului armory to the Office of Veterans' Services (OVS) for use as a veterans' center when the Department of Defense (Department) vacates the property.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department, the Field Representative for the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, and a proud veteran. The Board of Land and Natural Resources provided comments on this measure.

Your Committee finds that the Department will soon vacate the Kahului armory, and that the property and facilities are ideal to establish a veterans' center for our veterans in Maui. Your Committee supports the intent of this measure to transfer the property and facilities of the Kahului armory to the OVS to be leased to veterans' organizations for use as a veterans' center.

Based on the testimony of the Department and the Board of Land and Natural Resources, your Committee made two amendments to this measure. First, in the section establishing the veterans' centers revolving fund, your Committee added a proviso that proceeds from the lease agreement between OVS and a veterans' organization for use of the Kahului armory shall only be used for repair and maintenance of the veterans' center in Kahului.

Also, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR)is currently using some of the facilities at Kahului, and must continue to do so until a permanent home is established for all of their offices. In light of this, your Committee amended this measure to authorize the OVS to allow the DLNR to continue using the facilities.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 459, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 459, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.