STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1812

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 23

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 23 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE TO REVIEW HAWAII'S CURRENT VOTER EDUCATION SYSTEM AND PROPOSE IMPROVEMENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request that the Legislative Reference Bureau establish a task force to review Hawaii's current voter education system and propose improvements in reports to the Legislature.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Elections, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, and two individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board and Legislative Reference Bureau.

Your Committee finds that insufficient voter education is a significant factor that contributes to poor citizen engagement in Hawaii, including low voter turnout at elections. Accordingly, your Committee finds that the State should explore the best ways to provide appropriate voter education to its residents.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 23 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair