Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 18 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to reaffirm the State's commitment to civil liberties and the Bill of Rights by urging Hawaii's congressional delegation to work to repeal any sections of the USA PATRIOT Act or recent executive orders that limit or violate fundamental rights and liberties protected by the United States and the Hawaii state constitutions.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Hawaii State Teachers Association, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, Life of the Land, the Hawaiian Political Action Council of Hawaii, Americans for Democratic Action/Hawaii, and concerned individuals.

USA PATRIOT is the acronym for the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism act. This federal Act was signed into law on October 26, 2001, and authorizes United States law enforcement agencies to conduct surveillance on Americans that includes wiretaps without probable cause, subpoenaing an individual's bookstore and library records, and monitoring an individual's internet activities.

Your Committee believes that the safety of our nation is not dependent on the erosion of our human rights and civil liberties. The United States and Hawaii can be both safe and free.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 18, and recommends its adoption.