STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2987

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2383

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 2383, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FLAGS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to recognize and require the National League of Families' POW/MIA (prisoner of war/missing in action) flag to be flown on specified days at the State Capitol and on the grounds of the headquarters of the State Department of Defense.

     Written comments in support of the measure were submitted by one private organization and one individual.  Written comments in support of the measure, with suggested amendments, were submitted by one private organization and five individuals.  Written comments presented to your Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee recognizes the great sacrifices made by the thousands of brave Hawaii residents who were captured and interned as prisoners of war, and the thousands of others who have been officially reported as missing in action.  Your Committee believes that the public display of the POW/MIA flag is an appropriate honor and tribute to these brave sons and daughters of Hawaii and to the many others who have served and are currently serving in the military.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive changes for purposes of style, accuracy, and to clarify that the POW/MIA flag may be flown on the grounds of the State Capitol and on the grounds of the headquarters of the State Department of Defense on days other than those specifically listed in the measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2383, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2383, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair