STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1135

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   S.B. No. 717

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 717, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC REAL PROPERTY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Establish a temporary program to clean up state real property after the departure of persons who have camped or lodged there illegally or without authorization.  This measure requires the Governor to designate a state executive department to establish the program; and

     (2)  Require the Department of Public Safety to establish a temporary sheriff patrol program to enforce laws against illegal camping, trespassing, or being present after closing hours on state real property. 

The Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness, Hawaii Community Development Authority, and a few individuals testified in support of this measure.  Voices of Kauai and several concerned individuals testified in opposition to this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Public Safety, and Department of Accounting and General Services commented on this measure.

     Your Committee notes that the sheriff patrol program should coordinate in collaboration with the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Requiring that a minimum, rather than a maximum, time period be established for the storing of personal property collected by the cleanup program;

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2055, to encourage further discussion; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 717, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 717, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair