STAND. COM. REP. NO.  170

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.B. No. 1513

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1513 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE WEED AND SEED STRATEGY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to:

(1) Establish a permanent Weed and Seed Program in the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; and

(2)  Appropriate funding in the form of a grant to maintain the Weed and Seed Program in the Ala Moana, Chinatown, downtown Honolulu, Kalihi, Waipahu, and Ewa Beach communities on Oahu.

     The Office of Community Services of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Meadow Gold Dairies, The Gentry Companies, the Director of Honolulu Weed and Seed, and numerous individuals supported this measure.

     Your Committee finds that collaborative efforts involving law enforcement, residents, non-profit organizations, community groups and private businesses have helped to reduce crime and improve the quality of life for the designated neighborhoods.  The fundamental principles that underlie the Weed and Seed strategy are:  collaboration, coordination, community participation and leveraging resources.  Weed and Seed is an important organizational tool and community resource whose strategy needs to be continued.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1513 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Public Employment,

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair