Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 173, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require at least five years of service as an active commissioned officer in the Hawaii National Guard to be considered for the position of Adjutant General.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from ten individuals. Comments in opposition to this measure were received from the State Department of Defense Adjutant General and Deputy Adjutant General; the State Office of Veterans Services; the Armed Services Committee of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii; the Hawaii Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust and Laborers' International Union of North America, Local 368; the Oahu Veterans Council; and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that forty-four states have adopted similar measures, that this measure is an expression of the respect and confidence the State has in the professionalism of the men and women of the Hawaii National Guard, and that as the reserves and active duty promote their own to major command positions, so too should the Hawaii National Guard.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 173, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 173, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.