Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2468, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to hire consultants to assist in reviewing cemetery and pre-need funeral authority license applications and other related regulatory matters.

Your Committee finds that recent news about local fraudulent practices in the funeral industry on the Big Island have sensitized the public and heightened awareness of regulation of the industry that can prey on people during their most vulnerable emotional hours. It is important to have trust in the reliability and honesty of the funeral companies who are entrusted with the final services and handling of the deceased member of grieving families. This measure allows the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to hire experts with skills in accounting, auditing, law, and other areas and have the expenses paid by the licensee whose application or activities require the retention of these consultants.

Your Committee realizes the effective date is July 1, 2050, and recognizes that the purpose of this date is to allow the parties to continue working towards a compromise on the bill.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2468, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.