STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2848

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2611

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 2611 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE CAPITOL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a State Capitol Management Committee to oversee the general operation and management of the Hawaii State Capitol and its grounds and facilities.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services, Department of Public Safety, and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the facilities and grounds of the Hawaii State Capitol hold a unique and special place in the hearts of the citizens of the State.  Its unique, welcoming architecture symbolizes Hawaii's spirit of Aloha and island community and is the place where the State's constitutionally established legislative process is exercised.  As the Legislature occupies three-quarters of the State Capitol building and is a branch of government separate from that of the Department of Accounting and General Services, which maintains the State Capitol, your Committee finds that the Legislature should have more direct input into the operations and management of the building.  Separate operations and management oversight should be established to ensure that the facilities and grounds of the Hawaii State Capitol are secure, properly maintained, and operated in a manner that meets the needs and expectations of its tenants and the general public.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2611, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2611, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing,

____________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair