STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3549

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2388

       H.D. 3

       S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2388, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate the development or expansion of in-state correctional facilities.

     More specifically, this measure:

     (1)  Clarifies the Governor's authority to negotiate for the construction of a correctional facility to include the authority to negotiate for construction of a jail and makes conforming amendments;

     (2)  Requires the Governor to conduct a feasibility study on restructuring the Oahu Community Correctional Center with a smaller footprint on the land that it currently occupies and redeveloping the remainder of the site;

     (3)  Specifies design criteria for a new Oahu Community Correctional Center; and

     (4)  Appropriates funds for reconstruction of the Oahu Community Correctional Center and the relocation of the Maui Community Correctional Center.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, the Department of Public Safety, and the Building Industry Association-Hawaii.

     Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Community Alliance on Prisons, Hawaii Friends of Restorative Justice, and two individuals.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that the State's correctional facilities are old and in need of replacement or significant repairs.  Your Committee further finds that the Oahu Community Correctional Center and Maui Community Correctional Center, in particular, should better serve the needs of their respective inmate populations and more effectively fulfill their public safety roles.  Your Committee believes that the State should consider relocating the Oahu facility or rebuilding it on its current site in Kalihi using a more efficient, multi-story design, while considering all financing options.  Your Committee also believes that the State should also proceed with the planned relocation of the Maui facility.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the Governor's authority to negotiate for the construction of a correctional facility is not limited to a turnkey facility; and

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2076, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

     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. 2388, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2388, H.D. 3, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair