Report Title:

Statewide Interfaith Steering Committee; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes the statewide interfaith steering committee to develop and promote interfaith activities.  Appropriates funds for this purpose.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2188
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to interfaith activities.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The purpose of this Act is to establish the statewide interfaith steering committee to develop and promote interfaith activities to promote relations between various religious faiths.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 201, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§201‑   Statewide interfaith steering committee. (a)  There is established a statewide interfaith steering committee to be attached to the department of business, economic development, and tourism for administrative purposes.  The steering committee shall develop and promote interfaith activities in Hawaii and promote Hawaii as the world interfaith harmony capital.  The steering committee shall explore the possibility of organizing a major international interfaith conference in Hawaii to take place by 2011.

(b)  The members of the steering committee shall be made up of representatives of various religious and interfaith organizations and groups.  The steering committee shall seek to have a representative or representatives from each religious and interfaith organization or group existing in Hawaii, including but not limited to:

(1) Baha'i;

(2) Buddhism;

(3) Christianity;

(4) Church Women United;

(5) Confucianism;

(6) Daoism;

(7) Hawaiian Spirituality;

(8) Hinduism;

(9) Islam;

(10) Knights of Columbus;

(11) Jainism;

(12) Judaism;

(13) Mokichi Okada Association;

(14) Native Americans;

(15) Church of Perfect Liberty;

(16) Quakers;

(17) Risshio Kosei Kai;

(18) Salvation Army;

(19) Seichi-No Ie;

(20) Shinnyo-En;

(21) Shinto;

(22) Sikhism;

(23) Sufism;

(24) Unitarian Universalism;

(25) Unity;

(26) Zoroastrianism;

(27) All Believers Network;

(28) The Interfaith Alliance; and

(29) The Open Table.

(c)  The steering committee shall select a chairperson from amongst its members.

(d)  Members of the steering committee shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.

(e)  The steering committee shall be exempt from chapter 92; provided that the steering committee shall make a good faith effort to make its proceedings and work products accessible and available to the general public in a manner consistent with the intent of chapter 92.

(f)  The steering committee shall terminate on June 30, 2011."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for establishing and operating the statewide interfaith steering committee.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:

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