STAND. COM. REP. NO.  335

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 835

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services & Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 835 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to assist individuals in danger of losing their housing by:

     (1)  Establishing the Pineapple Employees and Retirees Housing Revolving Fund to provide low-interest loans or grants to acquire or rehabilitate existing housing, or acquire housing elsewhere;

     (2)  Establishing the Pineapple Employees and Retirees Rental Housing Fund to provide rent subsidies for pineapple employees, retirees, and their families affected by plantation closures;

     (3)  Establishing the Pineapple Employees and Retirees Homeownership Counseling Program; and

     (4)  Appropriating funds for the new funds and programs established in this measure.

     The Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC), ILWU Local 142, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.

     Your Committee is encouraged by the support expressed for the affected pineapple employees and retirees.  However, concerns were raised related to the environmental hazards of the land where the homes are located.  HHFDC noted concerns raised by the Attorney General that Kunia Camp has been placed on the Federal Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) National Priority List (known as "Superfund"), while Poamoho Camp has been removed from the list.

     Residents of Kunia Camp have received notice of the environmental concerns, but have been reassured that clean-up is underway.  Your Committee encourages the appropriate entities to research the Hawaii Brownfields Assessment Program to further assist in clean-up efforts.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Clarifying that this measure is for the benefit of the public health, safety, and welfare; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 835, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 835, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Housing,

____________________________

MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair