STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1473

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: S.R. No. 80

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Business and Economic Development, to which was referred S.R. No. 80 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE ON SPORTSMANSHIP IN YOUTH SPORTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request that the Governor establish a task force on sportsmanship in youth sports to evaluate the nature and extent of the problem of violence and threats against sports officials in Hawaii, the factors that contribute to this, and how the problem can be addressed.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the American Youth Soccer Organization, Positive Coaching Alliance, and three individuals. Your Committee also received comments regarding this measure from the Department of Education.

Your Committee finds that a task force on sportsmanship in youth sports is an important preliminary step to investigate and resolve the issue of violence, both verbal and physical, against sports officials. Youth sporting events in Hawaii range from players on youth recreational leagues to interscholastic high school teams to intercollegiate sports. Your Committee believes that it is imperative to curtail violence at youth sporting events before it becomes even more widespread and commonplace.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Replacing "the Hawaii State Basketball Officials Association" with "four sports officials recommended by the Hawaii High School Sports Association;"

(2) Adding youth recreational league officials to the recommended task force membership;

(3) Replacing "Representatives of the Chiefs of Police" with "A Hawaii member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police;" and

(4) Making technical amendments.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Business and Economic Development that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 80, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 80, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Business and Economic Development,

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair