STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3418

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 35

       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 Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 35 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SUPPORT OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII FOR THE TROOP TALENT ACT OF 2013,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to express the legislature's support of the Troop Talent Act of 2013.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the National Association for Uniformed Services, Hawaii Chapter; The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii; The Mestizo Association; and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the transition from military to civilian life is difficult for countless veterans, leading to high unemployment rates in the veteran population.  Despite many veterans leaving the military with valuable skills and training, several obstacles, including injuries, lack of civilian work experience, and license and certification issues, hinder a smooth transition from military service to civilian life.  The Troop Talent Act of 2013 assists veterans in adjusting to civilian life by reestablishing the Professional Certification and Licensure Advisory Committee and ensuring that veterans and members of the United States Armed Forces are provided with proper education and training to better assist them in obtaining civilian certifications and licenses.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by 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 Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 35, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 35, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair