Report Title:

Public Housing; Security Appropriation; Report

Description:

Appropriates funds for the contract hiring of full‑time security guards and state or county law enforcement officers for public housing projects; requires a report to the legislature on the progress of security improvements.  (SD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2735
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  When the federal weed and seed initiative was in effect at Mayor Wright homes public housing complex several years ago, residents saw a significant improvement in their neighborhood.  However, the conditions in public housing, of which Mayor Wright homes public housing complex is one example, have deteriorated.  The complex was recently the site of a shooting and has experienced disturbances between the tenants and their neighbors.  In addition, there have been several instances of public drunkenness and excessive noise.

     The purpose of this Act is to improve security measures in public housing by:

     (1)  Appropriating funds for the contract hiring of additional security guards and state or county law enforcement officers; and

     (2)  Requiring the Hawaii public housing authority to submit a report to the legislature on the progress of public housing security improvements.

     SECTION 2.  The Hawaii public housing authority shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2009 on the progress of security improvements in public housing, including:

     (1)  The actions taken to improve the safety and security of the residents of public housing;

     (2)  The plans made with the management of the various public housing projects, their tenants, and other stakeholders to further improve security;

     (3)  An estimate of the number of additional security guards and state or county law enforcement officers that are required to ensure the safety of the tenants and guests of the various public housing projects on a twenty-four-hour basis; and

     (4)  Any other findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, regarding the security situation of public housing projects.

     SECTION 3.  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 2008-2009 for the contract hiring of additional security guards and state and county law enforcement officers for public housing.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii public housing authority for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.