STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1477

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   S.B. No. 540

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 540 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VETERANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make permanent the repeal of residency requirements and establishment of eligibility requirements in conformity with United States Department of Veterans Affairs and National Cemeteries Administration eligibility requirements for burial in a national or state cemetery in Hawaii.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Hawaii, State Office of Veterans Services, the National Association for Uniformed Services Hawaii Chapter, and one concerned individual testified in support.  The State Department of Defense commented on this measure.

     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. 540 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair