STAND. COM. REP. NO.  353-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2605

      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 Public Safety & Military Affairs and Transportation, to which was referred H.B. No. 2605 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ARMED SERVICES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to recognize the dedication and service of members of Hawaii's National Guard and Reserve forces by exempting them from payment of vehicle taxes and registration fees on their noncommercial vehicles.

     The Department of Taxation and The Hawaii Chamber of Commerce supported this bill.  The Department of Defense supported the intent of this measure.  The Tax Foundation of Hawaii submitted comments.

     Your Committees have amended this bill by:

(1)  Removing references to the federal Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act; and

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

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety & Military Affairs and Transportation that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2605, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2605, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety & Military Affairs and Transportation,

____________________________ JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair

____________________________ CINDY EVANS, Chair