HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2117
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to sheriffs.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the state sheriff division is an essential component of maintaining public safety, as the sheriff division is responsible for maintaining the peace, protecting all persons and property under the control of the judiciary, and carrying out law enforcement services for all state facilities.  Established by King Kamehameha III in 1846, the state sheriff is the oldest law enforcement organization in Hawaii.  By 1905, police departments were created in each county, and they were led by elected sheriffs.

     The legislature further finds that the state sheriff division has never had permanent or centrally located headquarters.  Currently, the sheriff division has sheriffs located at various places on Oahu, including at Pier 20, Honolulu International Airport, first circuit court, and the state capitol.  A permanent headquarters would enable the sheriff division to carry out its duties more effectively, better serve and protect the people and property of Hawaii, and have a central and permanent location for people to contact the sheriff division when help is needed.

     The legislature additionally finds that there has been longstanding support for this issue in the senate, as demonstrated by S.R. No. 56, adopted by the senate in 2008.  Now it is time for the legislature to take further initiative on the matter and assist with moving toward identification of a central location for a sheriff division headquarters.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the executive branch to identify an appropriate property on which to build a permanent headquarters for the sheriff division so that the Hawaii state sheriffs are able to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities when serving the health, safety, and welfare of all people in this State.

     SECTION 2.  The governor, in consultation with the department of public safety, shall identify a permanent central location for a headquarters for the sheriff division by December 31, 2014, so that any necessary funding can be included in the next biennium budget for the planning, design, and construction of the headquarters in the 2015-2016 budget.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Sheriff Division; Headquarters; Site Location

Description:

Requires the identification of a central location for a headquarters for the sheriff division by December 31, 2014.

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