STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1355-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 3250

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Culture & Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 3250, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LIBERTY AND JUSTICE DAY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Designate March 5 of every year as Liberty and Justice Day; and

(2) Require all flags flown on state lands to be flown at half-staff on Liberty and Justice Day.

Your Committee did not receive any written testimony on this measure.

Your Committee finds that constitutional rights and democratic principles are undermined when government power is exercised without accountability, particularly when individuals engaging in civic participation or dissent are subjected to repression or harm. Historical and contemporary examples of government-sponsored violence, injustice, and violations of due process underscore the continuing need to safeguard the rights to free speech, protest, and assembly. This measure designates March 5 of each year as Liberty and Justice Day to serve as a solemn reminder of the importance of protecting these fundamental rights and honoring those who have suffered or lost their lives as a result of such abuses.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee requests your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, should it deliberate on this measure, to examine whether requiring all flags on state lands to be flown at half-staff would violate federal law.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Culture & Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3250, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3250, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Culture & Arts,

____________________________

JEANNE KAPELA, Chair