STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1645

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1002

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 1002, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM OVERSIGHT COMMISSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Beginning July 1, 2025, extend the term of the Oversight Coordinator for the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission;

(2) Authorize the Hawaii Correctional System Commission to review the Coordinator's performance and make a recommendation to the Governor as to whether the Coordinator should be retained; and

(3) Clarify that the Oversight Coordinator has the general authority to inspect agencies and correctional facilities without notice.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Correctional Oversight Commission, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Community Alliance on Prisons, and two individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Your Committee finds that existing law requires that the Oversight Coordinator of the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission serve two-year terms. Your Committee further finds that a two-year term does not provide sufficient time to fully understand the role, build relationships, or develop and implement meaningful policies or projects and hinders the ability of the Oversight Coordinator to make significant progress or see initiatives through to completion. This measure will give the Oversight Coordinator the time necessary to maintain independence and focus on the non-partisan work of transitioning the State's correctional system to a model for rehabilitation.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1002, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair