STAND. COM. REP. NO.  135-10

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2010

RE:   H.B. No. 2759

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2759 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GAMING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to provide the Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands (DHHL) with a permanent source of revenue to satisfy its obligation to its Native Hawaiian beneficiaries by authorizing the Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC) to allow casino gaming operations on Hawaiian Home Lands.  This bill would also establish the Hawaii Gaming Commission within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to regulate these authorized casino gaming operations.  

     The Kanaka Council Moku O Keawe and several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, HHC, DHHL, Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, Honolulu Police Department, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Hawaii Coalition Against Legalized Gambling, Hawaii Family Forum, and a concerned individual opposed this measure.  The Waimea Hawaiian Homesteaders' Association, Inc. and a concerned individual provided comments.

     Your Committee wishes to clarify that its intent in advancing this measure is not to force casinos upon the beneficiaries, but to provide DHHL with a mechanism to consult its beneficiaries on the beneficiaries' sentiments on allowing casinos in their communities. 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Changing the criteria for licensure as a casino gaming operation from the highest bid to the bid that would provide the most appropriate or suitable operation to meet the needs of the community;

(2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2020, to encourage further discussion; and

(3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for style, clarity, and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2759, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2759, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

MELE CARROLL, Chair