HB969 HD1

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Weed and Seed Strategy is a United States Department of Justice initiative that is administered locally by the United States Attorney's Office. Initiated in 1992, the strategy currently includes more than three hundred sites in two hundred twenty-six cities across the country.

The Weed and Seed Strategy is a collaborative effort among law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and county levels, social service agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and residents to reclaim, restore, and rebuild communities. The four key elements of the Weed and Seed Strategy are:

(1) Law enforcement;

(2) Community policing;

(3) Prevention, intervention, and treatment programs; and

(4) Neighborhood restoration.

The Weed and Seed Strategy works with local law enforcement to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted neighborhoods by "weeding" out the criminal element in the community. Community policing involves having police officers work closely with community residents to develop solutions to violent and drug-related crimes. The next step is to "seed" the community with human services that include prevention, intervention treatment, and neighborhood revitalization.

The legislature finds that the state has benefited greatly from Weed and Seed Programs at sites on Oahu that encompass Ala Moana, downtown Honolulu, Kalihi, Waipahu, and Ewa Beach. Since the implementation of the strategy, crime in those areas has been reduced significantly. The legislature further finds that the strategy's success warrants maintaining the operations of the Weed and Seed Program in these communities, and envisions expanding it to other communities in the future.

The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Establish a permanent Weed and Seed Program within the department of the attorney general to continue its success; and

(2) Appropriate funds for a grant-in-aid to PACT to maintain the operations of the Weed and Seed Program in the Ala Moana, downtown Honolulu, Kalihi, Waipahu, and Ewa Beach communities on Oahu.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of the attorney general the Weed and Seed Program to reduce crime and improve the quality of life for residents and neighborhoods in the state. The program shall be a collaborative effort among residents, law enforcement agencies, social service providers, educators, area businesses, and other resource agencies and support organizations to:

(1) Create, initiate, implement, and support responsible, community-based activities, projects, and services that help reduce crime and drug use in neighborhoods;

(2) Engage members of the community to encourage the development and maintenance of economic and social well-being; and

(3) Teach and model collaborative efforts that focus on sustainable results.

(b) The state Weed and Seed Program shall be guided by a resource committee composed of representatives from various public and private sectors, including but not limited to:

(1) Federal agencies such as the United States Attorney's Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development;

(2) State agencies such as the department of education, department of health, department of human services, department of public safety, Hawaii public housing authority, the office of the governor, and the office of the lieutenant governor;

(3) County agencies such as the office of the mayor, managing director, office of special projects, the prosecuting attorney, and the chief of police;

(4) Community and trade organizations such as Aloha United Way, YMCA of Honolulu, Honolulu Board of Realtors, Hawaii Tax Foundation, and other health, human service, and trade organizations; and

(5) Private businesses and corporate entities.

(c) The Weed and Seed Program resource committee shall, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session of the legislature, submit a report to the legislature and the governor on its activities, including projects completed or ongoing, funds expended, and other relevant data or information on the program.

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 2007-2008 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 as a grant-in-aid pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to Parents and Children Together to maintain the operations of the Weed and Seed Program in the Ala Moana, downtown Honolulu, Kalihi, Waipahu, and Ewa Beach communities on Oahu.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of the attorney general through a contract with Parents and Children Together for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on January 30, 2112.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	969
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII