STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3652

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2104, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, 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 address barriers that limit the ability of Island Burial Councils to regularly meet and do business.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Extends the time to fill vacancies that occur during a Council member's term;

(2) Provides per diem compensation by stipend for the Council members appointed to represent geographic regions to help improve recruitment and retention; and

(3) Adjusts the quorum required for Council business to a majority of the appointed Council members, but no fewer than three members.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Koolauloa Hawaiian Civic Club, Koolau Foundation, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Island Burial Councils have faced challenges to filling vacancies and maintaining the quorums necessary to hold meetings and do business. Your Committee further finds that the inability of Councils to meet on a regular and timely basis slows the permitting process for critical housing projects in the State. Your Committee believes that this measure will support the regulatory framework of chapter 6E, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and the State's responsibility to protect burial sites, while also helping to accelerate the permitting approval process for housing and other development projects.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2104, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair