STAND. COM. REP. NO. 616-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: H.B. No. 2006

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2006, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to preserve Front Street Apartments on the island of Maui as an affordable rental housing project by authorizing the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to negotiate with the current owners of the leasehold fee and improvements to acquire the Front Street Apartments property and, if necessary, to acquire the property through exercise of eminent domain.

The Mayor of the County of Maui, two County of Maui Councilmembers, International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, West Maui Taxpayers Association, and numerous concerned individuals supported this measure. Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation supported the intent of this measure. The Front Street Affordable Housing Partners opposed this measure. Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action and a few concerned individuals offered comments.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2006, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Public Employment,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair