STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3733

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2444

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2444, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to temporarily authorize the Department of Health to conduct criminal history record checks of applicants for permits to operate as a hemp processor.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health.

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

Your Committee finds that, to become a licensed hemp processor in the State, an applicant must satisfy a criminal background check requirement. Prospective applicants may satisfy criminal background checks through a fingerprint and criminal background check conducted by the Department of Health. However, existing powers of the Department of Health do not provide them with the authority to conduct criminal history record checks on consenting hemp processor applicants. Accordingly, this measure clarifies existing procedures to effectuate the legislative intent of Act 263, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, while ensuring timely processing of hemp processor permits.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2444, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair