STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1402

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 536

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 2

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 536, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit the Hawaii Public Housing Authority from selecting a housing applicant if the applicant or a household member of the applicant owns or acquires a home within the State.

This measure also authorizes the Authority to terminate the tenancy of a current tenant if the tenant or a household member owns or acquires a home within the State.

In addition, this measure makes a conforming amendment to add a reference to "widower" to clarify that a widower is entitled to the same preference as presently allowed to a widow of a deceased veteran who was permanently disabled by ten per cent or more.

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Public Housing Authority does not have the statutory authority to deny a housing application by an otherwise qualified applicant if the applicant or a household member owns a home.  Similarly, existing law does not permit the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to evict a current tenant who owns or acquires a home.  Your Committee believes this measure will help ensure that tenants with the greatest need are selected for, and permitted to remain in, shelter provided by the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 536, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 536, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair