STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3336

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1974

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1974, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VETERANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Remove the residency requirement for the burial of members of the United States Armed Forces and their dependents in veterans cemeteries in this State; and

     (2)  Establish criteria consistent with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs' eligibility requirements for burial in a national or state cemetery,

for a period of three years, from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2015.

     Your Committee finds that this measure will ensure that Hawaii's eligibility requirements for burial in a state veterans cemetery conforms to the eligibility requirements of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for burial in a national or state cemetery.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1974, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair