SCR207

WHEREAS, the Legislature acknowledges the harmful effects of illegal gambling and drug activities in communities across the State, including an increase in other criminal activities, such as crimes of violence and sex trafficking; and

WHEREAS, addressing these criminal activities individually and separately is not the most effective means to deter and eradicate these activities; and

WHEREAS, a more effective approach involves a collaborative effort among federal, state, and county agencies to examine relevant issues, determine the resources needed to address these issues, and devise a coordinated action plan; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of the Attorney General is requested to establish a special intergovernmental task force to eradicate illegal gambling and drug activities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force consist of the following members:

(1) The Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee, who is requested to serve as the chair;

(2) The Director of Law Enforcement or the Director's designee;

(3) The Director of Transportation or the Director's designee;

(4) The respective Chiefs of Police of the Counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai and of the City and County of Honolulu, or their designees;

(5) The respective Directors of the planning or permitting agencies of the Counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai and of the City and County of Honolulu, or their designees;

(6) A representative from the office of the United States Attorney, District of Hawaii; provided that, if participating, the representative is requested to be invited to serve as vice chair of the task force; provided further that the Attorney General is requested to designate another task force member to serve as vice chair if necessary;

(7) A representative from the United States Department of Homeland Security;

(8) A representative from the United States Drug Enforcement Agency;

(9) A representative from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and

(10) A representative from any governmental or private entity deemed relevant by the chair of the task force; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to dedicate itself to the eradication of illegal gambling and drug activities in the State; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to engage in an organized, collaborative effort to examine relevant issues, determine the resources needed to address these issues, and devise a coordinated action plan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to consider the necessary resources and legislative actions that may be necessary to establish the following:

(1) A statewide program under the Department of the Attorney General to identify and eliminate illegal gambling houses and drug houses; and

(2) Community safe zones throughout the State for the purpose of enforcing zoning and other restrictions on lands that may be used for gambling activities, including casino gaming, regardless of whether the activities are legal or illegal; provided that the task force is requested to endeavor to establish, at a minimum, a requirement that lands that may be used for any type of gambling activity, and any structure thereupon, be situated more than ten thousand feet from any church, school, or residential area; provided further that the task force is requested to also endeavor to establish an appropriate enforcement mechanism for this requirement; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chair and vice chair of the task force are requested to oversee the activities of the task force and lead the decision making of the task force members; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no member of the task force be considered an employee for the purposes of chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, based solely upon that member's participation in the task force; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be dissolved upon adjournment sine die of the Regular Session of 2026; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Department of the Attorney General, the Director of Law Enforcement; the Director of Transportation; the respective Chiefs of Police of the Counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai and of the City and County of Honolulu; the respective Directors of the planning or permitting agencies of the Counties of Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai and of the City and County of Honolulu; the United States Attorney, District of Hawaii; the United States Department of Homeland Security; the United States Drug Enforcement Agency; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Gambling; Drugs; Intergovernmental Task Force; Community Safe Zones

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	207
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII