STAND. COM. REP. NO. 774

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1450

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1450, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE RENT SUPPLEMENT PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to increase participation in the state rent supplement program by removing the statutory ceiling on rent supplements for "qualified tenants", raising the statutory ceiling on income levels that determine "qualified tenants", and allowing persons living in transitional shelters to be "qualified tenants".

     Your Committee received comments in support of the measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.  Comments were received from the Department of Human Services, Catholic Charities of Hawaii, and the Hawaii Family Forum.

     Your Committee finds that this measure will authorize the Hawaii Public Housing Authority of the Department of Human Services to adjust the subsidy amounts in order to reflect current market conditions.  This measure will increase housing accessibility and affordability for many needy households.

     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. 1450, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair