STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3460

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1984

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred H.B. No. 1984, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the consumption of liquor on any public sidewalk or in the common area of a public housing project.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from seventeen individuals.  Testimony in opposition was submitted by the Honolulu Police Department.

     Your Committee finds that the public consumption of liquor on the sidewalks and common areas of public housing projects may promote attendant illicit activities such as drug use and gang violence, and may result in the terrorization of residents and surrounding communities.  A prohibition on public liquor consumption would help ensure the safety and welfare of public housing tenants and community residents.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1984, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair