STAND. COM. REP. NO.3081

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 1542

H.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 1542, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VOTER REGISTRATION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to delete provisions in the Hawaii Revised Statutes regarding elections that violate voting and civil rights of persons with disabilities.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Elections, the State Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities, the ARC in Hawaii, and the Disability and Communications Access Board.

Your Committees find that all Americans enjoy the fundamental right to vote under the federal Voting Rights Act and related federal laws that protect the rights of persons with disabilities. Your Committees find that this measure will conform Hawaii voter registration law with federal law.

Equally important, this measure recognizes the rights and dignity of persons with developmental disabilities. Your Committees believe that persons with these disabilities have the same basic legal, civil, and human rights as every other member of our society, including the fundamental right to vote.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1542, H.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations,

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CAL KAWAMOTO, Chair

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BRIAN KANNO, Chair