STAND. COM. REP. NO.  171

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   H.B. No. 1153

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Veterans, Military, & International Affairs, & Culture and the Arts, to which was referred H.B. No. 1153 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VETERANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to exempt qualified disabled veterans from the annual state vehicle registration fee.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Veterans Services, the Advisory Board on Veterans' Services, and two concerned individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that it is important to assist disabled United States veterans who have served valiantly and sacrificed to defend our country.  Most permanently and totally disabled veterans are unable to work, and your Committee believes that a limited exemption from vehicle registration fees would provide financial relief to deserving disabled veterans as a small token of thanks for their dedication and service. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Veterans, Military, & International Affairs, & Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1153 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Transportation.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Veterans, Military, & International Affairs, & Culture and the Arts,

____________________________

KEN ITO, Chair