STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3153

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 87

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 87 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY TO DOCUMENT VIOLATIONS OF ITS PROHIBITION ON SMOKING IN AND AROUND PUBLIC HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to document violations of its prohibition on smoking in and around public housing.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

     Your Committee finds that section 356D-6.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, assists in providing smoke-free environments for families by prohibiting smoking in and around public housing projects, state low-income housing projects, and elder or elderly households.  Due to the long-term effects of the residual contamination from the use of cigarettes, cigars, or other tobacco products that remains in enclosed indoor spaces, or "thirdhand smoke", violators of smoking prohibitions may negatively affect the health of subsequent tenants and guests of public housing projects, state low-income housing projects, and elder or elderly households.  While enforcement of smoking prohibitions is challenging, this measure encourages the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to keep violators of smoking prohibitions accountable for their actions by considering these violations when evaluating whether to continue or form a lease agreement in the future with the violator.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 87 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health.

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

________________________________

BREENE HARIMOTO, Chair