STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2936

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2773

       H.D. 3

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred H.B. No. 2773, H.D. 3, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to reduce crime and improve the quality of life in Hawaii's neighborhoods by:

     (1)  Permanently establishing the weed and seed program within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations;

     (2)  Requiring the Department to submit an annual report to the Legislature and Governor on the activities of the weed and seed program, including completed or ongoing projects, expended funds, and other relevant program data or information;

     (3)  Making an unspecified appropriation for a grant pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the Young Men's Christian Association of Honolulu to support the operations of the weed and seed program through the Office of Community Services of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; and

     (4)  Making an unspecified appropriation to maintain current operations of the weed and seed program and expand the weed and seed program into other areas of the State.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services; Department of Public Safety; Office of Community Services of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; Police Department of the City and County of Honolulu; Waipahu Elementary School; Ilima Intermediate School; Gentry Homes, Ltd.; residents of Kekaulike Courtyards; Empower Oahu; and nine private individuals.  The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations submitted comments.

     Your Committee finds that the weed and seed program takes a comprehensive, collaborative approach to law enforcement, crime prevention, and community revitalization by involving law enforcement, community residents, non-profit organizations, community groups, and private businesses to help reduce crime and improve the quality of life for neighborhoods that have been designated as weed and seed areas.  The program works by attempting to "weed" out the criminal element in the community while simultaneously "seeding" the community through the implementation of prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood revitalization projects, programs, and activities.  This measure maintains these efforts and helps reduce crime and improve the quality of life for the people of Hawaii.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2773, H.D. 3, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor,

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair