STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1330

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.C.R. No. 26

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 26 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING A SUNRISE ANALYSIS OF THE PROFESSION OF ARCHAEOLOGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the Auditor to conduct a sunrise analysis of the profession of archaeology.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that:

(1) Hawaii is a repository of countless cultural sites containing invaluable cultural materials and resources that should be protected and preserved;

(2) The profession of archaeology plays a pivotal role in the identification and protection of, and mitigation of damage to, these important cultural sites;

(3) Landowners and developers often depend on the professional services of archaeologists without realizing what they really do, or how to gauge the quality of their work;

(4) Consumers of archaeological services are at a serious disadvantage since this profession is unlicensed and devoid of proper oversight and regulation, in spite of the many complaints of the native Hawaiian community; and

(5) The establishment of a license for professional archaeologists under the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs may provide the necessary oversight and regulation of this profession.

Your Committee further notes that under section 26H-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, a sunrise analysis by the Auditor is required prior to the new regulation of an industry.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 26 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

 

____________________________

KENNETH HIRAKI, Chair