S.R. NO. 140 - Summary

• Requests establishment of a working group composed of representatives from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, and Department of the Attorney General to discuss and recommend legislation supporting Native Hawaiian financial resources.

• Working group shall propose legislation addressing: ensuring sufficient state funding to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; generating revenue for the general fund and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands; authorizing creation of Native Hawaiian corporate entities such as foundations or endowments; obtaining revenue without requiring state up-front costs through public-private ventures; and utilizing non-trust lands to generate revenue.

• References Hawaii Supreme Court decision in Nelson v. Hawaiian Homes Commission (2012) requiring the state to provide sufficient funds ($15,000,000 annually) to cover Department of Hawaiian Home Lands administrative and operational expenses in perpetuity with back payment obligation.

• Working group must submit a report with findings and proposed legislation no later than twenty days prior to convening of the 2014 Regular Session and shall be dissolved on June 30, 2014.