STAND. COM. REP. NO. 205

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 312

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Human Services and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, 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,"

beg 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 of the Authority.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Public Safety.

     Your Committees find that when the federal Weed and Seed Initiative was in effect at Mayor Wright homes public housing complex several years ago, residents saw a significant improvement in their neighborhood.  However, the conditions in public housing, of which Mayor Wright homes public housing complex is one example, have since deteriorated.  The complex has been the site of shootings and disturbances between the tenants and their neighbors.  In addition, there have been several instances of public drunkenness and excessive noise in the complex.

     Your Committees further find that the Department of Public Safety does not currently have the infrastructure or personnel to provide the additional services for security of the residents, staff, buildings, and lands of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.  However, the Authority's ability to reimburse the cost of additional deputy sheriff positions and required equipment to provide these services, as proposed in this measure, will allow for this partnership to provide for the safety and security of those in public housing projects.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 312 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 Human Services and Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

____________________________ WILL ESPERO, Chair

____________________________ SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair