STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1283

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1377

S.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred S.B. No. 1377, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VETERANS CEMETERIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the Veterans Cemeteries Board within the Office of Veterans Services of the Department of Defense to provide veterans cemeteries in the State with guidance, education, technical assistance, and other support to ensure compliance with standards set by the National Cemetery Administration of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Veterans Services and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that the final resting places of eligible veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and their eligible family members should reflect Hawaii's appreciation and gratitude for their service and sacrifice to the State and nation. Your Committee further finds that a Veterans Cemeteries Board would provide oversight and support to the counties in maintaining veterans cemeteries to meet federal standards.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1377, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair