Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2226 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a dedicated funding source for homeless assistance.

Specifically, the bill requires that up to $1,000,000 in unencumbered and unexpended moneys remaining on balance in the unclaimed property trust fund be transferred annually to the department of human services to be expended for homeless services.

Your Committee finds that services to homeless individuals and families, specifically outreach and case management, have not been funded in a consistent manner over the years due to budget constraints. The homeless need to be connected to services to deal with the underlying causes of homelessness including poverty, mental illness, drug addiction, and other problems. This measure will provide a dedicated source of funding that will assist these vulnerable citizens.

Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this measure to:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2226, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2226, S.D. 1.