Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2648, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to authorize the state Office of Veterans' Services to publish informational newsletters to assist Hawaii's military veterans.

Your Committee finds that the State lacks a reliable and effective method of communicating important information to Hawaii's military veterans, especially those returning from deployment to the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq. This lack of information prevents veterans from utilizing critical outreach and counseling services and participating in upcoming veteran-related events and military ceremonies.

Information regarding outreach and counseling services are extremely important to returning veterans, many of whom are struggling with some form of readjustment problem due to the dangers they faced fulfilling their military duties.

This bill would provide the necessary funds to ensure that veterans are better informed of veteran-related assistance programs and events to lead healthy and productive lives.

Your Committee has amended the bill by:

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 S.B. No. 2648, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2648, S.D. 2.