STAND. COM. REP. NO. 10-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1875

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1875 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NATIVE HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Governor to appoint the Governor's Coordinator on Native Hawaiian Affairs to coordinate responses to issues that impact Native Hawaiians and Native Hawaiian culture across state departments and agencies.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Aha Moku Advisory Committee, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the Governor currently does not have a dedicated cabinet member to address and coordinate responses to issues impacting Native Hawaiians and Native Hawaiian culture across state departments and agencies. This measure will address that deficiency by requiring the Governor to appoint a coordinator who represents Native Hawaiian culture and tradition, has a strong connection to Native Hawaiian communities throughout the State, and has a strong understanding of Hawaiian history.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1875, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1875, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair