Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1393, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to transfer the State Commission on the Status of Women from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor to the Department of Human Services for administrative purposes.

Additionally, the bill, in making the transfer, confers permanent status on the Commission by repealing its constitutionally required classification as a "temporary" State Commission on the Status of Woman.

Your Committee finds that by placing the Commission within an executive department for administrative purposes, the constitutional requirement that the Commission be designated as a temporary commission while administratively attached to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor is rendered moot upon such relocation. Because the goal of gender equality has not been achieved, it is significant that the State Commission on the Status of Women be given permanent status, allowing the Commission to continue to advance the interests of women and girls in Hawaii.

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. 1393, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.