STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1685-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   S.B. No. 2196

      S.D. 2

      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 Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2196, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER INDEPENDENT REVIEW BOARD,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to promote law enforcement transparency and accountability by establishing a Law Enforcement Officer Independent Review Board (Board) within the Department of the Attorney General to review criminal investigations of incidents of officer-involved death conducted by law enforcement agencies and make recommendations to the respective county prosecuting attorney.  This measure also appropriates funds to establish the Board and for Board-related expenses.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii and three concerned individuals supported this measure.  A concerned individual opposed the measure.  The Department of the Attorney General and Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2196, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair