STAND. COM. REP. NO. 70

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 967

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 967 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Close certain areas within Hawaii Public Housing Authority projects to the public;

     (2)  Permit the prosecution with criminal trespass of unauthorized entry or a violation of a written prohibition to enter into a restricted housing project; and

     (3)  Clarify requirements for signage notifying trespassers of illegal entry.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and three individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu and Ho‘omana Pono, LLC.

     Your Committee finds that criminal activity and disturbances caused by uninvited individuals are increasing in public housing projects in Hawaii.  The perception that public housing projects are open to the public at all times makes these incidents difficult to prevent and resolve.  Your Committee further finds that these incidents are detrimental to the safety of the residents and staff of Hawaii's public housing projects.  This measure will clarify what property within public housing projects is closed to the public and assist law enforcement officers in ensuring the safety of public housing project residents and staff.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 967, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 967, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

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

________________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair