STAND. COM. REP. NO. 843

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1726

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Tourism and Government Operations and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1726 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE CAPITOL,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to provide for the joint management of the entire state capitol building and grounds, including parking facilities, by the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) in conjunction with the Joint Legislative Management Committee of the Legislature.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms. Testimony in opposition was received from DAGS.

     Your Committees note that this measure does not strip DAGS of the responsibility to manage the capitol grounds, but requires DAGS to do so in conjunction with the Joint Legislative Management Committee.  Your Committees believe that because most of the capitol is occupied by the Legislature, the Legislature should be consulted and have input into how the building and grounds are managed.

     Your Committees are particularly concerned about the insufficient number of parking spaces for the public, the adequacy of the level of security by the Department of Public Safety, and a potential cutback in custodial services by DAGS.  Your Committees request DAGS to work on resolving these concerns as this measure moves through the Legislature.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Tourism and Government Operations and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1726 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Tourism and Government Operations and Ways and Means,

____________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

____________________________ CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair