STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1219-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: S.B. No. 2206

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 2206, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriate funds for capital improvement projects consistent with the purposes of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund.

Prior to the hearing on this measure, your Committee posted and made available for public review a proposed H.D. 1, which deletes the contents of this measure and inserts language to authorize the Board of Land and Natural Resources to issue month to month revocable permits to be used for temporary emergency sheltering of and facilities for homeless persons on state lands.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the proposed H.D. 1 from the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaiian Affairs Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Kai Homeless Task Force, Hui Mahi‘ai Aina, Aloha Hawaii Onipaa, YouthBuild Waimanalo, and nine individuals. Your Committee received comments on the proposed H.D. 1 from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that the COVID-19 pandemic is taking a monumental toll on lives around the world and throughout the State, where COVID-19 continues to pose enormous health, economic, environmental, and social challenges. Your Committee also finds that the proposed H.D. 1 underscores the importance of homeless shelters and services to homeless individuals, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The proposed H.D.1 authorizes the use of month to month revocable permits for the temporary emergency sheltering of and facilities for homeless persons, which could potentially increase the number of parcels of state land available for unsheltered homeless individuals to exercise social distancing, undergo quarantine and isolation, and have access to hygiene facilities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by adopting the proposed H.D. 1 and further amending the measure by:

(1) Specifying that a month to month revocable permit issued by the Board of Land and Natural Resources may not be issued for lands under the control or management of the Department of Agriculture without the prior agreement of the Department of Agriculture; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 2206, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2206, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

TOM BROWER, Chair