STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1103

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   S.B. No. 194

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Veterans, Military, & International Affairs, & Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 194, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE CULTURAL EXCHANGES BETWEEN HAWAII AND AFRICAN AMERICANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to recognize the contributions of African Americans in Hawaii by establishing a temporary Hawaii Commission on African American History and Culture.  The purpose of the Commission is to further the understanding of African American history and culture, educate residents and visitors of its significant impact in Hawaii, and submit annual reports to the Legislature with recommendations to honor and recognize contributions of African Americans in Hawaii.

The Honolulu Hawaii NAACP and many concerned individuals supported this measure.  The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and a concerned individual supported the intent of this measure.  

     This measure has been amended by:

(1)  Placing the Commission within the Department of Accounting and General Services, instead of within the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts;

(2)  Replacing references to "African Americans" with "people of African descent";

(3)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2015; and

(4)  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 Veterans, Military, & International Affairs, & Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 194, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 194, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Veterans, Military, & International Affairs, & Culture and the Arts,

____________________________

KEN ITO, Chair