STAND. COM. REP. NO. 280

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1321

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 Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1321 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; and

(2) 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 Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, ACLU Hawaiʻi, Community Alliance on Prisons, Hawaiʻi Friends of Restorative Justice, and seven individuals.

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

Your Committee finds that currently, the Oversight Coordinator for the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission shall serve two-year terms. However, the Commission found 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. Short terms can hinder the ability of the Oversight Coordinator to make significant progress or see initiatives through to completion.

Your Committee further finds that frequent turnover can disrupt continuity, leading to inconsistent strategies and priorities that may undermine the effectiveness of the position and of the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission as a whole.

Your Committee notes the testimony provided and discussion held at the public hearing on this measure regarding concerns relating to the proposed term duration of four years for the position of Oversight Coordinator, and finds that a compromise between the proposed term duration and the current term duration is appropriate to balance the interests of stakeholders and the public.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the term duration of the Oversight Coordinator from four years to three years; and

(2) 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 Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1321, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1321, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,

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BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair