STAND. COM. REP. NO.  109-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2216

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2216 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Amend the membership requirements for the Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC) to require:

 

          (A)  At least five members to be Native Hawaiian and either existing or prospective lessees of Hawaiian homestead lands; and

 

          (B)  Two of the five members to be on the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands waitlist for a homestead land award;

 

     (2)  Allow for the election of a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among the members of HHC by HHC members, rather than appointment by the Governor; and

 

     (3)  Create the position of the Director of Hawaiian Home Lands and separate the Director's responsibilities from those of the Chairperson of HHC.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Sovereign Council of Hawaiian Homestead Associations, Association of Hawaiians for Hawaiian Lands, Kalamaula Mauka Homestead Association, and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

 

     Your Committee notes that title 43 Code of Federal Regulations part 48, as amended, outlines the process for amendments to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act and whether or not Congressional approval is necessary.  Your Committee finds that this measure does not require Congressional approval.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2216, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2216, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair