STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2223

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 520

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Transportation and International Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 520, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish a peace mission committee within the Office of International Affairs to plan and implement peace missions to other nations and organizations and to appropriate funds for the work of the peace mission committee.

     Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and the Hawaii Lions Clubs.

     Your Committee would also note that in a hearing on January 30, 2008, your Committee received testimony on S.B. No. 2267, and the contents of that bill are identical to this measure.  In addition to the testimony listed above, your Committee would like to reflect supportive testimony on the subject matter from the United Nations Association of the United States of America, Hawaii Division; the Department of Education; and one individual.

     Your Committee is equally supportive of this measure and finds that the peace mission committee will provide additional opportunities for the Office of International Affairs to interact with other nations and international organizations in a positive manner.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 520, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and International Affairs,

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair