STAND. COM. REP. NO. 781

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 733

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 733, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VETERANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Office of Veteran Services to publish and distribute a quarterly newsletter that informs veterans of benefit changes and the availability of support services and programs.

     This measure appropriates $100,000 for fiscal year 2007-2008, and $100,000 for fiscal year 2008-2009 to be expended by the Office of Veterans Services for the purposes of this Act.

     Comments in support of this measure were submitted by the Office of Veterans Services and the State Advisory Board on Veterans Services.

     Your Committee finds that it is important to provide timely and accurate information on services and benefits available to the many veterans who live in Hawaii.  There are still thousands of veterans who remain unaware of their benefits.  This newsletter will continue to make a significant impact in reaching and informing veterans on important issues regarding their benefits and available outreach services.

     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. 733, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair