HB1457

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that conservation corps, such as Americorps and the department of land and natural resources' youth conservation corps, place participants in natural resource conservation activities to help them develop a sense of stewardship and build valuable work experience through community service, training, and education. However, these programs are mainly offered as summer activities for students. A similar program for other segments of the population would greatly benefit at-risk groups who need assistance in developing life and job skills that will enable them to become responsible, self-reliant citizens and would thereby benefit the entire community.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a conservation corps program to help at-risk persons on Hawaii island develop life and job skills and gain work experience.

SECTION 2. The department of land and natural resources shall:

(1) Create a Hawaii conservation corps program on Hawaii island incorporating natural resource conservation activities to help corps members develop life and job skills and gain work experience. The program shall be designed to serve:

(A) At-risk youth, including youth with a history of academic problems, negative peer groups, gang affiliation, chronic truancy, anti-social behavior, substance abuse, and other indicators of potential juvenile delinquency; and

(B) At-risk adults, including parolees, substance abusers, the homeless, and adults lacking sufficient education, vocational skills, or a job history necessary to obtain employment;

(2) Incorporate the following into the Hawaii conservation corps program:

(A) Training to prepare new corps members for the Hawaii conservation corps program;

(B) Physical fitness training;

(C) Work, as part of a crew of up to twelve corps members, of twenty hours each week through which corps members may learn:

(i) The importance of dependability, punctuality, and good attendance;

(ii) Worksite relations skills, including taking constructive criticism and working cooperatively with other corps members and staff; and

(iii) Western and traditional Hawaiian job skills;

(D) Life skills training including instruction in conflict resolution, searching and applying for jobs, retaining employment, personal money management, setting goals, and decision making;

(E) Education for twenty hours each week on subjects such as genealogy, Hawaiian language and traditional practices, reading, math, communication skills, English language proficiency, academic preparation, and work-specific skills; and

(F) Case management to oversee corps member participation in other personal assistance programs, such as substance abuse programs, while maintaining a continuity of employment-focused activity;

(3) Appoint an executive director and hire staff for the Hawaii conservation corps program; and

(4) Collaborate with local, state, and federal government and local employers to arrange for the employment of corps members on a project-by-project basis.

The executive director of the Hawaii conservation corps program shall consult, cooperate with, and seek advice from appropriate organizations and agencies.

SECTION 3. The executive director of the Hawaii conservation corps program may seek grants from public and private sources and may accept donations to finance the projects, programs, and activities of the Hawaii conservation corps program.

SECTION 4. No later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session of the legislature, the department of land and natural resources shall submit to the legislature an annual report of all its activities relating to the Hawaii conservation corps program, including:

(1) An accounting of all moneys received and disbursed;

(2) Detailed descriptions of the types of activities and services offered to corps members;

(3) Statistics indicating the number and types of community members directly served by the Hawaii conservation corps program; and

(4) Success rates in helping corps members find employment or otherwise attain personal achievements and growth.

SECTION 5. 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 2007-2008 to establish and operate a Hawaii conservation corps program on Hawaii island.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1457
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII