STAND. COM. REP. NO. 665

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 312

       S.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 312 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY SHERIFF DIVISION ENTERING INTO AGREEMENTS TO PROVIDE SECURITY AT PUBLIC HOUSING PROJECTS OPERATED BY THE PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to enter into agreements with the Department of Public Safety to provide security services to protect the residents, staff, buildings, and lands under the Authority's control.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Public Safety.

     Your Committee finds that conditions at certain public housing projects in the State have deteriorated, resulting in instances of violence, public drunkenness, and excessive noise.  Your Committee believes that this measure will allow the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and Department of Public Safety to collaborate to provide safer conditions for public housing residents, staff, and property.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the Hawaii Public Housing Authority may enter into agreements with the Department of Public Safety to obtain the aid and cooperation of the Sheriff Division to provide security services;

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion of the measure; and

     (3)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the 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 S.B. No. 312, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 312, S.D. 1.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair