STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2271

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2865

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2865 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT MAXIMIZATION SPECIAL FUND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to expand the allowed uses of federal reimbursement maximization special fund monies to reflect United States Department of Justice approved uses.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Public Safety.

     Your Committee finds that existing law limits uses of federal reimbursement maximization special fund monies to provide the state match for federal grants.  Since the enactment of section 353C-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by Act 172, Session Laws of Hawaii 2001, the Department of Justice has developed rules that allow expanded uses of the funds for correctional purposes.  As federal grant opportunities are currently diminishing, it would greatly benefit the Department of Public Safety to access federal reimbursement maximization special fund monies for other pressing needs.  This measure allows the Department of Public Safety to access these monies to further the goals of corrections, including providing training for corrections officers; conducting facility or program evaluations; renting or purchasing vehicles for inmate transport; providing pre-release and re-entry programs; improving technology; and developing a plan for workforce recruitment and retention.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2865 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 Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs,

____________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair