Appropriates funds for program for incarcerated persons to assist with restoration and clean-up of Midway Island.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that protecting the natural environment and beauty of the islands of the Pacific Ocean is a laudable goal, and that the federal government is assisting with the restoration and clean-up of Midway Island.

The legislature further finds that due to the dramatic increase in the number of detained and incarcerated individuals with drug abuse problems, alternatives to dealing with the drug-abusing offender must be implemented. Rehabilitation programs that prepare incarcerated persons for life in the "real world" are critical to the future well-being of the community. The legislature also finds that training appropriate level inmates for environmental clean-up on Midway Island will provide employment skills when they are released, as well as benefit the restoration effort at Midway Island. The purpose of this Act is to implement a pilot project within the Department of Public Safety that will pay inmates a wage for participating in clean-up activities on Midway Island.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $_______, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for implementing a program that will pay inmates for participating in the clean-up and restoration of Midway Island.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.