STAND. COM. REP. NO.  424-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2735

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services & Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 2735 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to improve security measures at Mayor Wright Homes public housing complex by:

     (1)  Requiring the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) to submit a report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009 regarding the progress of security improvements; and

     (2)  Appropriating $235,582 to hire at least three security officers.

     Many concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  HPHA supported the intent of this measure.  A concerned individual provided comments.

     Your Committee notes that HPHA suggested that the appropriation not be limited to security guards because security officers with arresting powers are needed to effectively address security problems in public housing projects.

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Expanding the purpose of the appropriation to include police officers and public safety officers with police powers; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2735, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2735, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Housing,

____________________________

MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair