STAND. COM. REP. NO. 527

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 535

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 535 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INTOXICATING LIQUOR,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to prohibit possession of open liquor containers in public housing common areas and on streets and sidewalks.

     Act 34, Session Laws of Hawaii 2008, established the current provisions that no liquor shall be consumed in common areas of public housing projects.  However, the police are unable to arrest individuals holding an open liquor container unless the police observe the person putting the container to their mouth, or unless a witness is willing to testify to that effect.  This measure will clarify the prohibition and assist in deterring drinking in common areas of public housing projects, as well as on public highways and sidewalks.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 535 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair