STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1443-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.C.R. No. 127

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 127 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY AND ADVISABILITY OF DECRIMINALIZING THE ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF DRUGS FOR PERSONAL USE IN HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on the feasibility and advisability of decriminalizing the illegal possession of drugs for personal use in Hawaii.  The Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2017.

The Drug Policy Forum of Hawaii, The Libertarian Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Dispensary Alliance, Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Drug Policy Action Group, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Community Alliance on Prisons, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  One concerned individual testified in opposition.  The Legislative Reference Bureau provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by limiting the scope of the survey to criminal drug offenses in Hawaii that are a class C felony or lower and pertain to the illegal possession for personal use of a drug.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 127, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 127, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair