STAND. COM. REP. NO.  962

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   S.B. No. 10

      S.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 10, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to improve the operations of the Hawaiian Homes Commission and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands by:

     (1)  Allowing the Hawaiian Homes Commission and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to hire their own attorneys and to require the State to pay for the services of those attorneys; and

     (2)  Authorizing the Hawaiian Homes Commission and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to use the services of the Attorney General as needed when the interests of the State, Hawaiian Homes Commission, and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands are aligned.  

A few concerned individuals supported this measure.  The Department of the Attorney General opposed this bill.  The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands provided comments.

     Your Committee notes that the Department of the Attorney General suggested that the measure be amended to allow the Attorney General to determine whether a conflict of interest exists and that clarification be made that independent counsel expenses be paid with appropriated state funds.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 10, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

FAYE P. HANOHANO, Chair