STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3618

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 127

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.R. No. 127 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE FOUNDATION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOP A PLAN TO IMPLEMENT CHESS AS A COMPETITIVE SPORT IN THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to convene a task force to research and develop a plan to implement chess as a competitive sport.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.

Your Committee finds that the global chess industry is estimated to be valued at more than $2,110,000,000, and is expected to continue expanding its financial profitability. Your Committee further finds that beyond entertainment, chess can supplement traditional classroom education by promoting logical thinking, instilling a sense of self-confidence, and improving communication and pattern recognition skills. Your Committee concludes that the State can support mental health and education throughout the State by encouraging the development of a plan to implement chess as a competitive sport.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Urging the task force to research and develop a plan to expand access to chess as a competitive sport;

(2) Urging the Department of Education to collaborate with Hawaii chess organizations to expand access to chess in public schools as a learning, development, and collaboration tool;

(3) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose; and

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

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 127, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 127, S.D. 1.

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

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CHRIS LEE, Chair