STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2859

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2818

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2818, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to combat the crime of human trafficking.  Specifically, this measure:

(1)  Extends the sunset date of the Hawaii anti-trafficking task force established in Act 260, Session Laws of Hawaii 2006;

(2)  Adds representatives from additional governmental agencies, human services organizations, and victim services organizations to the task force; and

(3)  Requires the task force submit a final report to the Legislature prior to the 2010 Regular Session.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Office of the Crime Victim Compensation Commission, the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, and the Sex Abuse Treatment Center.

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaii anti-trafficking task force has made significant progress toward achieving its legislative mandate.  Your Committee further finds that the sunset date for the task force should be extended to allow it to complete the needs analysis and to draft proposed legislation that will address the needs of victims of human trafficking.  Your Committee also believes that the work of the task force will be assisted and improved with input from additional government agencies and service providers.

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this measure as follows:

(1)  By requiring the task force to submit an interim report to the Legislature prior to the 2009 Regular Session;

(2)  By requiring the task force's final report to include its findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation;

(3)  By changing the effective date of the amendments to Act 260 to June 29, 2008, to postpone the cessation of the task force that is otherwise scheduled for June 30, 2008;

(4)  By changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount to facilitate further discussion on this measure; and

(5)  By making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2818, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2818, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair