STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3164

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2461

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 Committees on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Labor and Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 2461, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOMELAND SECURITY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to make the Hawaii Cybersecurity, Economic, Education, and Infrastructure Security Coordinator exempt from civil service.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Law Enforcement.

Your Committees find that the Cybersecurity, Economic, Education, and Infrastructure Security Coordinator serves as a crucial nexus between various sectors such as cybersecurity, economy, education, and infrastructure thereby ensuring a comprehensive and cohesive approach to the State's security and prosperity. Your Committees further find that the position's extensive responsibilities are not just administrative but are pivotal in safeguarding the State's digital landscape. This measure recognizes that exempting this position from civil service is a necessary step to secure Hawaii's digital and physical infrastructure, enhance economic resilience, and educate the future workforce in crucial cybersecurity skills.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2042, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Labor and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2461, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2461, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Labor and Technology,

________________________________ HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair