STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2624

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 Ways and Means, 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.

     Specifically this measure creates a seven-member Peace Mission Committee within the Office of International Affairs in the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.  The purpose of the Peace Mission Committee is to develop peace missions to other nations and international organizations, cultural exchange and goodwill programs with other nations, and charitable donation programs with other nations.  Furthermore, this bill appropriates $500,000 to be used by the Peace Mission Committee for these purposes.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

     Your Committee finds that the Peace Mission Committee and funding will be instrumental in helping the Office of International Affairs to expand its role to include peace initiatives, cultural exchange, and international goodwill activities.

     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. 520, 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