STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1863

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   S.B. No. 156

      S.D. 2

      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 Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 156, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VOTING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to increase participation in and streamline the electoral process by allowing eligible voters to apply for permanent absentee voter status.

      The Office of Elections, Disability and Communication Access Board, AARP Hawaii, AARP-Hawaii on Kauai, AARP-Hawaii on the island of Hawaii, and many concerned individuals supported this bill.  The Maui County Office of the County Clerk supported the intent of this measure.  The Kauai County Office of the County Clerk provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by changing its effective date to July 1, 2020, to promote further discussion.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 156, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 156, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair