STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3312

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 33

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 S.C.R. No. 33 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING HAWAII'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO ASSIST THE STATE IN NEGOTIATING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE ACQUISITION OF THE FEDERAL DETENTION CENTER, HONOLULU,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request Hawaii's congressional delegation to assist the State in negotiating with the federal government for the acquisition of the Federal Detention Center, Honolulu.

     Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from Hoomana Pono, LLC.

     Your Committee recognizes that Hawaii has overcrowded state jails and prisons, and that for many years, the State has attempted to find additional capacity.  Your Committee finds that the Federal Detention Center, Honolulu, houses federal and state pre-trial detainees, and sentenced felons who have almost completed their prison terms.  Your Committee also finds that the detention center operates far below its total capacity of one thousand two hundred beds. 

Your Committee believes that if the State were to acquire the Federal Detention Center, Honolulu, the acquisition may both relieve overcrowding at state facilities and accommodate the return of state inmates who are currently serving terms at out-of-state facilities.  Your Committee also believes that the acquisition of the detention center may be less costly than the construction of a new state facility.  Assistance from Hawaii's congressional delegation in acquiring the Federal Detention Center, Honolulu, could help the State realize these benefits.

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 33 and recommends its adoption.

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

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JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair