STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1717-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   S.C.R. No. 120

      S.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 120, S.D. 2, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO EXPLORE A COMPETITIVELY PROCURED PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT FOR A NEW SYSTEM OF CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES THAT MAY INCLUDE REENTRY CENTERS, REPORTING CENTERS, TREATMENT CENTERS, PRISONS, JAILS, AND HALFWAY HOMES, TO BE OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE STATE AND ITS COUNTIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address the current correctional needs of the State by requesting the Governor to explore a competitively procured public-private partnership agreement for a new system of correctional facilities that may include reentry centers, reporting centers, treatment centers, prisons, jails, and halfway homes, to be owned and operated by the State and its counties.

The Department of Public Safety, Department of the Attorney General, Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and one concerned individual supported this measure.  The Department of Accounting and General Services supported the intent of this measure.  Community Alliance on Prisons, Ohana Hoopakele, Malu Aina, Hawaii Sustainable Community Alliance, Hawaii Friends of Justice and Civic Education, Filipino Law Students Association at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Pacific and Asian Center for Theologies and Strategies, Hawaii Coalition for Immigration Reform, and numerous concerned individuals opposed this measure.  The Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO, offered comments on this measure.      

     Your Committee is supportive of the Legislature's position that any public-private partnership agreement involving the renovation and new construction of correctional facilities would be run and operated by public employees.

     Further, your Committee requests that the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Accounting and General Services monitor the bidding process and carefully scrutinize the history, reputations, and other relevant details of the bidders and corporations involved in the projects, as required under law.

     Further, your Committee urges that the State employ a local workforce and local contractors on these projects.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 120, S.D. 2, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety,

____________________________

HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair