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 S.C.R. No. 146 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request of the federal government to allow National Guard Members and Reservists to retire with full benefits after twenty or more years of service.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Department of Defense, the Hawaii National Guard Association, the Hawaii National Guard Enlisted Association, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that National Guard service is a difficult and demanding duty, and that a disparity exists between active military personnel with twenty or more years of service who receive a pension immediately upon retirement, and National Guard and Reservist members with similar service records who must wait until they are at least sixty to receive a pension. Your Committee finds that this disparity should be remedied.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 146 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.