STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1242-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   S.B. No. 2755

      S.D. 1

      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 S.B. No. 2755, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS AND TRAINING BOARD,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a temporary Advisory Law Enforcement Employment Standards and Training Board to develop statewide standards for employment and training for state and county law enforcement officers who carry firearms and wear badges.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Public Safety; ACLU of Hawaii; Hoomana Pono, LLC; IMUAlliance; and numerous individuals supported this measure.  One individual opposed this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by removing the provision that specified that no person shall have a cause of action against the State, county, government agency, or officer for not implementing any employment standard or training recommendation of the advisory board.  Technical nonsubstantive amendments were also made for clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii is the only state without a statewide law enforcement board for employment standards or training.  Given the considerable power and authority given by the State and counties to police, sheriffs, and other law enforcement officers, it is important to establish statewide standards for these officers.  These standards will provide a common core of knowledge and training for state and county law enforcement officers.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2755, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2755, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair