STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2960

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3250

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 Water, Land, Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 3250 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to designate March 5 of every year as Liberty and Justice Day.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi and one individual.

Your Committee finds that democracy is eroded when government power goes unchecked and the people fail to exercise the rights afforded to them by the United State Constitution. Your Committee also recognizes the long history of government-sponsored violence, injustice, and oppression, including the forced internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and the recent arrests and deportations of citizens and immigrants without due process. Your Committee believes that establishing a day of liberty and justice will serve as a solemn reminder that the preservation of freedom requires constant vigilance on the part of the public. This measure will celebrate the free and safe exercise of constitutional rights by the people and serve as a memorial to all who suffered or died because of government oppression.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language requiring that all flags flown on the grounds of state lands to be flown at half-staff during Liberty and Justice Day to recognize lives lost as a result of government-sponsored violence, injustice, or oppression; and

(2) 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 Water, Land, Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3250, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3250, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

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CHRIS LEE, Chair