STAND. COM. REP. NO. 918

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 732

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 732, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE HOLIDAYS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to honor and commemorate the histories, cultures, and traditions of indigenous peoples.

More specifically, the measure:

(1) Designates the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples' Day;

(2) Establishes Indigenous Peoples' Day as a state holiday; and

(3) Repeals the designation of general election days as state holidays.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Volcano School of Arts and Sciences and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Human Resources Development and Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the designation of Indigenous Peoples' Day as a state holiday will foster greater appreciation for the State's obligation to the original inhabitants of the Hawaiian Islands and the State's continued protection of customary and traditional rights exercised by the descendants of those indigenous people.

Your Committee notes the written comments of the Department of Budget and Finance estimating that the annual cost of this additional state holiday in a non-election year is approximately $17,000,000 with respect to lost productivity. Your Committee respectfully requests that this projected cost be considered as the measure moves forward in the legislative process.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 732, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 732, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair