STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2131

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2921

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2921 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Amend the appropriation of Act 279, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022 (Act 279), to conform with the Hawaii State Constitution; and

(2) Appropriate monies to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for fiscal year 2024-2025 to give practical effect to the intent behind Act 279.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; Hoʻomana Pono, LLC; and two individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that Act 279 does not conform with the Hawaii State Constitution's provision that no appropriation shall be made for a period exceeding three years. To meet this requirement and to fulfill the purpose of Act 279, this measure will make a new appropriation of general funds for fiscal year 2024-2025 to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2921 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs,

________________________________

MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair