STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2771

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2598

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2598 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE CULTURAL EXCHANGES BETWEEN HAWAII AND AFRICAN AMERICANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a Commission on African American History and Culture to recognize the significant contributions of African Americans in Hawaii and educate Hawaii's residents and visitors about the positive influence that African Americans have had on this State.

     Your Committee received no written comments on this measure.

     Your Committee finds that it is important that the State recognize and preserve the commendable historical and cultural contributions made by African Americans in Hawaii.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adding a section appropriating an unspecified amount to be expended by the Office of the Governor for the purposes of this measure;

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

     (3)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the 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. 2598, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2598, S.D. 1.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair