Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations and Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 2486 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to re-enact the leave of absence law relating to the pay of officers and employees on active military service and nonforfeiture for absence.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Defense. The Department of Human Resources Development submitted comments on this measure.

Your Committees find that Act 253, Session Laws of Hawaii 2000, threatens to reduce both the recruitment and retention of national guard members in Hawaii, as well as other military reserve components at the very time when their services are needed. Since the September 11, 2001, attacks, there has been a great need to protect our essential state facilities including the State's airports and the Hawaii Convention Center. Your Committees find that military and national guard services are needed to assist in the State's security efforts, and this bill is appropriate.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations and Labor that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2486 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.