STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2061

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2261

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs and Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 2261 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish a permanent weed and seed program within the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to continue the program's success; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds to maintain current operations of the weed and seed program and expand the weed and seed program into other areas of the State.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; State Department of Education; Hawaii Public Housing Authority; Office of Community Services; Honolulu Police Department; Meridian Pacific, Ltd.; The Gentry Companies; Haseko Development, Inc.; Hawaii's Most Wanted Magazine; Kalihi Baptist Church; and thirty-one individuals.

     Your Committees find that the weed and seed program works with local law enforcement to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted neighborhoods by "weeding" out the criminal element in the community.  Community policing involves police officers working closely with community residents to develop solutions to violent and drug-related crimes.  "Seeding" the community involves collaboration among various human services organizations to implement prevention, intervention treatment, and neighborhood revitalization projects, programs, and activities.

     Your Committees also find that the State has benefited greatly from the weed and seed program, most notably at sites on Oahu that encompass Kalihi-Palama, Chinatown, Downtown Honolulu, Ala Moana, Sheridan, McCully, Waipahu, and Ewa Beach.  Since the implementation of the program, crime in those areas has decreased significantly.  Your Committees find that the weed and seed program's success warrants the continued operation of weed and seed and envision the expansion of the program to other communities in the future.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs and Judiciary and Labor that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2261 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs and Judiciary and Labor,

____________________________ CLAYTON HEE, Chair

____________________________ WILL ESPERO, Chair