STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3376

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2104

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2104, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ISLAND BURIAL COUNCILS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Extend the time to fill vacancies that occur during an Island Burial Council member's term;

(2) Provide per diem compensation in the form of a stipend for Island Burial Council members representing geographic regions; and

(3) Adjust the Island Burial Councils' quorum for business to be a majority of the appointed council members, but no fewer than three members.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Koʻolauloa Hawaiian Civic Club, Avalon Development, and thirty-two individuals.

Your Committee finds that over the past decade there have been challenges filling vacancies and maintaining quorum on Island Burial Councils. Your Committee further finds that this can delay decisions on permissible treatment options for previously identified burial sites, slowing the development of critical housing needed in the State. This measure would address barriers to participation and quorum, strengthen Island Burial Council function and ensure the framework established under chapter 6E, Hawaii Revised Statutes, operates as intended.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of September 9, 2129, to encourage further discussion.

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 H.B. No. 2104, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2104, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

HERBERT M. RICHARDS, III, Chair