STAND. COM. REP. NO.  149

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 3

      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 Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 3 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PRISONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to enhance Hawaii's ability to house its incarcerated population by requiring the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to undertake a study to determine three sites within the state for a minimum security prison to:

     (1)  House no fewer than 500 inmates; and

     (2)  Include an intensive mandatory substance abuse treatment program.

     The Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Habitat for Humanity, Kumulipo, and a concerned individual supported this bill.  DPS supported the intent of this measure.  The Community Alliance on Prisons submitted comments on this bill.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Deleting the provision that required DPS to determine three sites for a minimum security prison;

(2)  Removing the stipulation that the facilities house not less than 500 inmates;

(3)  Deleting the provision that required an intensive mandatory substance abuse treatment program;

(4)  Requiring DPS to study and determine which island should be the first to build a new prison, including:

(A)  Recommendations for a proposed site on the selected island;

(B)  A report on how to acquire the site; and

(C)  A comprehensive estimation of costs involved in successfully building the facility with regard to its impact on the environment and the community;

(5)  Requiring DPS to provide a four-year projection of the housing needs for Hawaii's minimum security population;

(6)  Requiring recommendations on the maximum size of a minimum security facility and land necessary for it to provide sufficient housing for Hawaii's minimum security inmates;

(7)  Adding an appropriations section with an unspecified dollar amount; and

(8)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 3, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 3, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs,

____________________________

CINDY EVANS, Chair