STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1598

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   S.B. No. 1520

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 3

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 1520, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GOVERNMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to recognize native Hawaiians as the only indigenous, aboriginal, maoli people of Hawaii.

     A concerned individual supported this bill.  Numerous concerned individuals opposed this bill.  The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, and the Attorney General submitted comments.

     Your Committee urges OHA to undertake the necessary steps to begin the recognition process for native Hawaiians.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Clarifying its purpose section;

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2030, 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 Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1520, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1520, S.D. 2, H.D. 3.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair