STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1071

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 659

      H.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 659, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TARO,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to formally recognize the importance of kalo (taro) to the cultural heritage of Hawaii by designating kalo as the official state plant.

     The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and a concerned individual supported this bill.  The Hawaii Agriculture Research Center supported the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Deleting the provision specifying that the designation of kalo as the official state plant is effective so long as the Legislature does not otherwise provide; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for style, clarity, and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 659, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 659, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

____________________________

TOMMY WATERS, Chair