STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1136

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 61

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 61 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A FINANCIAL AND MANAGEMENT AUDIT OF THE STATE BOXING COMMISSION OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request that the Auditor perform a financial and management analysis on the State Boxing Commission.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two private citizens.  Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by the State Boxing Commission.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that serious allegations have been made concerning the Boxing Commission's alleged disregard for state law, state administrative rules, and the safety of both professional and amateur boxers.  Although it is important to note that no formal proceedings or charges are currently pending against the Commission, because of the severity of the allegations against the Commission and the nature of the Commission's function as a regulatory body charged with providing safeguards to an inherently dangerous activity, an Auditor's analysis of the Commission's operations is prudent at this time.  Your Committee notes that the Commission regulates amateur boxing, a sport in which many participants are children, teenagers, and young adults.  Your Committee finds that an Auditor's financial and management analysis of the Boxing Commission is necessary to determine whether the Commission is acting in compliance with State law and in the best interests of professional and amateur boxers. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 61 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair