STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2640

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2037

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 Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 2037 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

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

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, Office of Collective Bargaining, and City and County of Honolulu Department of Human Resources.

Your Committee finds that the Lunar New Year provides a time to renew one's family ties; reflect upon the past year; and wish for good fortune, health, and prosperity in the year ahead. As Lunar New Year is joyously observed by numerous residents in the State, your Committee believes that the State should recognize the cultural and historical significance of this holiday. By establishing the Lunar New Year as a state holiday 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.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee notes that there was testimony regarding collective bargaining issues that may arise from the addition of an official state holiday.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2037, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2037, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,

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CHRIS LEE, Chair