CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 127

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 , 2017

RE:    H.B. No. 83

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 2

       C.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

     Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the House of Representatives to the amendments proposed by the Senate in H.B. No. 83, H.D. 1, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

     The purpose of this measure is to:

(1)  Require the Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness, in conjunction with and with the advisement of the Department of Human Services and Department of Land and Natural Resources, to establish a working group to examine and develop recommendations related to the establishment of safe zones for persons experiencing homelessness;

(2)  Require the working group to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature prior to the 2018 Regular Session; and

(3)  Appropriate funds for each year of the 2017-2019 fiscal biennium to support the activities of the working group.

Your Committee on Conference notes that this is but one of several housing alternatives that policymakers, in conjunction with communities in the State, are exploring to address homelessness in Hawaii.  Establishment of a working group to examine and develop recommendations regarding the establishment of safe zones for the homeless population will support policymaking and other community efforts to support homeless individuals and families.

     Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1)  Appropriating $25,000 for fiscal year 2017-2018 to support the activities of the working group;

(2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2017; and

(3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 83, H.D. 1, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 83, H.D. 1, S.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

____________________________ JOSH GREEN Chair	____________________________ DEE MORIKAWA Co-Chair
____________________________ GILBERT S.C. KEITH-AGARAN Co-Chair	____________________________ CEDRIC ASUEGA GATES Co-Chair
____________________________ STANLEY CHANG Co-Chair