STAND. COM. REP. NO. 219

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: S.B. No. 1827

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1827 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A HAWAII MILITARY FAMILY RELIEF SPECIAL FUND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide economic relief to families of Hawaii National Guard and reserve members by establishing an income tax check off system to fund the Hawaii military family relief special fund.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Defense, The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, and an individual. The Department of Taxation submitted comments.

Your Committee finds that state guardsmen and reservists are being called to active duty for extended periods up to and exceeding twelve months. Many are forced to face serious financial consequences, while others suffer from loss of employment. This measure will support the State's military families who suffer economic hardship due to deployment of a family member. The fund created in this measure will provide eligible families with access to economic assistance commonly available to families of members of the active force.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1827 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education and Military Affairs,

____________________________

NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair