STAND. COM. REP. NO.  642-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2302

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2302, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO REAL PROPERTY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to streamline the process of recording land title documents in the Land Court and Bureau of Conveyances (BOC) by:

     (1)  Authorizing the Registrar of the BOC to accept electronic documents with electronic signatures for recording; and

     (2)  Requiring the Judiciary to study:

          (A)  The effects of electronic recording on the adjudication of Land Court applications; and

          (B)  Permissible uses for electronic recording in the Land Court.

     The State of Hawaii Commission to Promote Uniform Legislation, Hawaii Land Title Association, Hawaii Escrow Association, and Wyndham Worldwide testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources and Hawaii Association of Realtors supported the intent of this measure.  The Judiciary offered comments.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2302, H.D. 1, and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary,

____________________________ TOMMY WATERS, Chair

____________________________ ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair