STAND. CON. REP. NO. (~q.j
Honolulu, Hawaii
APR 03 , 2025
RE: H.C.R. No. 109
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty—Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was
referred H.C.R. No. 109, H.D. 1, entitled:
“HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING FREE AND RESPONSIBLE
SCHOLASTIC JOURNALISM AND ACTIVELY SUPPORTING AND HONORING
THE FIRST AMENDMENT OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION IN
STUDENT PUBLICATIONS,
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to support free and
responsible scholastic journalism in Hawaii schools and ensuring
that student journalists can exercise their First Amendment rights
without unnecessary restrictions. The resolution addresses
concerns about the use of student names and photos in school-
sponsored media like yearbooks, newspapers, and other student
publications.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from the Department of Education; Society of Professional
Journalists Hawaii Chapter; and from several individuals. Your
Committee received testimony in opposition of this measure from
Free Citizens of Maunalua and from one individual.
Your Committee finds that supporting free and responsible
scholastic journalism is essential for fostering critical
thinking, free expression, and civic engagement among students.
HCR1O9 HD1 HSCR JHA
 STAND. CON. REP. NO. ~7
Page 2
Honoring the First Amendment ensures that student publications can
operate without undue censorship, encouraging a culture of
transparency and accountability.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this
report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of
H.C.R. No. 109, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Judiciary &
Hawaiian Affairs
DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair
HCR1O9 HD1 HSCR JHA
 State of Hawaii
House of Representatives
The Thirty-third Legislature 14 5~4~ g ~q 7
Record of Votes of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Bill/Resolution No.: Committee Referral: Date:
hcA~-lo9 ~I E~DN,(JhPs O~/o~/2~O2~c2
0 The committee is reconsidering its previous decision on the measure.
The recommendation is to: Pass, unamended (as is) C Pass, with amendments (HD) 0 Hold
C Pass short form bill with HD to recommit for future public hearing (recommit)
JHA Members Ayes Ayes (WR) Nays Excused
1. TARNAS, David A. (C) V
2. POEPOE, Mahina (VC)
3. BELATTI, Della Au V
~
4. COCHRAN, Elle
-~
5. HASHEM, Mark J.
6. KAHALOA, Kirstin V
7. PERRUSO, Amy A.
~L —
8. TAKAYAMA, Gregg
~
9. TODD, Chris
10. GARCIA, Diamond V
11. SHIMIZU, Garner M.
TOTAL (11)
The recommendation is: Adopted Li Not Adopted
If joint referral, did not support recommendation.
committee acronym(s)
Vice Chair’s or designee’s signature:
Distribution: Original (White) — Committee Duplicate (Yellow) — Chief Clerk’s Office Duplicate (Pink) — HMSO