STAND. COM. REP. NO.  37-10

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2010

RE:   H.B. No. 462

      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 Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 462 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MILITARY SPECIAL NUMBER PLATES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill as originally received by your Committee on Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs, was to support the provision of veterans' rights and benefits by setting aside $2 from each fee charged for certain special number license plates and transferring these funds annually to the Director of Finance for the benefit of the Office of Veterans' Services (OVS).

     Prior to the hearing, your Committee circulated a Proposed House Draft 1 for review and comment.  A public hearing was held on, and testimony was received for, the Proposed House Draft 1.

     As amended, the purpose of this bill is to honor female veterans by authorizing the issuance of special number military plates for female veterans.

     The Oahu Veterans Council testified in support of this bill.  OVS supported the intent of the measure.  The Department of Customer Services (DCS) of the City and County of Honolulu opposed this bill.

     Over the years, the percentage of women serving in the armed services has grown.  Currently, approximately 15 percent of active duty personnel and 15 percent of those serving in the reserves and National Guard are female.  Honoring female veterans with a special number plate is appropriate at this time.

     While your Committee understands the concerns raised by DCS regarding the proliferation of special number plates and their impact on the general public and law enforcement, these concerns are under the purview of the Committee on Transportation.  Your Committee respectfully requests that the Committee on Transportation review this issue should it choose to hear this measure.

     Your Committee has further amended this bill by changing its effective date to July 1, 2112, to continue further discussion.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 462, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 462, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Transportation.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair