STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3514

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1626

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 1626, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CEMETERIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Limit liability for volunteers and nonprofit organizations, nonprofit corporations, or other entities that provide volunteers, who maintain or repair cemetery grounds; and

(2) Require the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to, in consultation with the Comptroller, to develop strategies for the upkeep, repair, and maintenance of Sunset Memorial Park in Pearl City, Oahu, and report relevant findings and recommendations to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that Sunset Memorial Park in Pearl City, Oahu, has been neglected for years and has been the subject of numerous complaints related to issues surrounding the management and lack of maintenance at the cemetery. Although volunteers have expressed a strong willingness to assist with the upkeep, repair, and maintenance of Sunset Memorial Park, many are concerned about potential liability issues. Therefore, this measure is intended to encourage volunteers to maintain and repair Sunset Memorial Park without fear of liability resulting from their charitable activities.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1626, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair