STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3870

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 97

H.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Government Operations, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 97, H.D. 2, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP TO PLAN AND CONSTRUCT A HAWAII FIRST RESPONDERS MEMORIAL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Accounting and General Services to:

(1) Establish a working group to plan and construct a Hawaii First Responders Memorial;

(2) Coordinate all matters regarding the Hawaii First Responders Memorial either through private funds or funds allocated by the Legislature; and

(3) Submit a report of the working group's plans, including findings, recommendations, projected costs, and any necessary legislation, to the Legislature by November 30, 2024.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation; United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Law Enforcement Memorial offers a place of honor for those law enforcement officers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. Your Committee further finds that the construction of a Hawaii First Responders Memorial in the State similar to the Hawaii Law Enforcement Memorial is an appropriate way to recognize sacrifices of the State's non-law enforcement first responders, including firefighters, lifeguards, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, medical flight nurses, and pilots. This measure facilitates the construction of a Hawaii First Responders Memorial where family, friends, fellow first responders, and the public can visit and remember those first responders who lost their lives while bravely serving the public.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 97, H.D. 2, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Government Operations,

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ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair