STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1620

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 196

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 196 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING A BROADER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE KINGDOM OF NORWAY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to support and encourage a broader relationship between the State and the Kingdom of Norway.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Maritime Group and two individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that it is in the best interest of the State to cultivate meaningful international relationships to collaborate on shared goals and issues. Due to a shared reliance on marine environments, demonstrated by strong economic and cultural ties to fisheries, aquaculture, and ocean conservation, the State and Kingdom of Norway are uniquely well-suited to establish a mutually beneficial relationship. Your Committee further finds that the State would benefit greatly from Norway's expertise in electric mobility, sustainable aquaculture, and marine research. Accordingly, this measure will encourage the State to foster a deeper relationship with the Kingdom of Norway.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting language that acknowledges that the State could benefit from collaboration and conversation regarding Norway's approach to prisons and criminal justice.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 196, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 196, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

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CHRIS LEE, Chair