STAND. COM. REP. NO. 18-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1555

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Culture, Arts, & International Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1555 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE HOLIDAYS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Designate the second new moon after the winter solstice of every year as Lunar New Year; and

(2) Establish Lunar New Year as a state holiday.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Government Employees Association; United Public Workers; and CARES. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Collective Bargaining; Department of Budget and Finance; and Department of Human Resources of the City and County of Honolulu.

Your Committee finds that the Asian community in Hawaii has contributed greatly not only to the State's social, civic, and economic success, but also to its diverse and vibrant culture, which includes the celebration of the Lunar New Year. Your Committee additionally finds that by celebrating Lunar New Year in Hawaii, the State can honor its rich cultural history, demonstrate its commitment to cultural diversity, and extend its best wishes for peace and prosperity to all who celebrate this important occasion.

However, your Committee understands that the potential impact of the establishment and removal of official state holidays is a negotiable matter under collective bargaining and therefore finds that amendments to this measure are necessary to designate Lunar New Year as an observed day, rather than as a state holiday.

Your Committee has amended this measure accordingly by:

(1) Changing Lunar New Year to an observed day instead of an official state holiday;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; 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 Culture, Arts, & International Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1555, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1555, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ADRIAN K. TAM, Chair