STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1078

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   S.B. No. 1166

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1166, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PENAL CODE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to recognize the legitimacy and cultural importance of traditional Hawaiian cultural customs and practices for the preparation, burial, or cremation of a corpse by clarifying that these practices are not a violation of the penal code's prohibition of abuse of a corpse.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, Ko‘olau Foundation, and an individual submitted testimony in support of this measure.  The Center for Hawaiian Sovereignty Studies submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to December 24, 2088, to encourage further discussion.
     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1166, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1166, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

KANIELA ING, Chair