STAND. COM. REP. NO.  334

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 320

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services & Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 320 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to improve the safety and security at Mayor Wright Homes by appropriating funds for three additional full-time security officers.

     Several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) provided comments.

     Your Committee is encouraged that HPHA is working toward improving security at Mayor Wright and is hopeful that HPHA will include additional funds in its Executive Budget for more security.  Additionally, HPHA is encouraged to consider a broad range of solutions, including 24-hour security, metal detectors, and other measures to ensure safety and security at Mayor Wright homes around the clock.

     Your Committee heard testimony that while rules exist at Mayor Wright Homes, they are not always enforced.  HPHA is urged to determine whether rules need to be better enforced and pursue legal action against those who violate the rules.  HPHA is also urged to investigate allegations that the board of Mayor Wright Homes may be a hindrance to solving safety and security issues.

     While it is not your Committee's intent to micromanage Mayor Wright Homes, it is concerned that security issues were not solved at a lower level, and that it took the introduction of a bill in the Legislature for these concerns to be heard and for action to be taken.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Requiring HPHA to submit a report to the Legislature prior to the convening of the 2008 Regular Session on the progress of security improvements at Mayor Wright Homes;

     (2)  Specifying that the appropriation is for a minimum of three security officers; and

     (3)  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. 320, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 320, 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