STAND. COM. REP. NO.  212-18

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2018

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1646

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 1646 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to establish an automatic procedure that allows Hawaii's newly-elected members of Congress, under certain circumstances, to begin their terms of office with greater seniority thereby maximizing their ability to represent the State.  Specifically, this measure requires the Governor to appoint a newly-elected congressional member to office if the incumbent vacates the office prior to the expiration of the incumbent's term.

 

     Hoomanapono Political Action Committee testified in support of this measure.  The Department of the Attorney General and Chief Election Officer provided comments.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Deleting the requirement that the Governor appoint a newly-elected United States Representative to office if the incumbent vacates the office prior to the expiration of the incumbent's term;

 

     (2)  Clarifying that the Governor is making a temporary appointment to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term;

 

     (3)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion; and

 

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of style and clarity.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1646, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1646, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SCOTT Y. NISHIMOTO, Chair