STAND. COM. REP. NO. 210

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 271

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Human Services, Housing, and Transportation and Energy, to which was referred S.B. No. 271 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Departments of Human Services, Health, and Transportation to assist with homelessness and housing issues.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from The Queen's Health Systems; Hawaii Youth Services Network; Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii; Community Alliance on Prisons; Hoomana Pono, LLC; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Catholic Charities Hawaii; IMUAlliance; and five individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, Department of Human Services, Department of Transportation, and Department of Health.

 

     Your Committees find that homelessness continues to be one of the State's most significant and challenging social problems.  Homeless persons face a myriad of issues, including general health issues, mental illness, and substance abuse.  These issues affecting homeless persons also impact the general population through the costs of social and health care services.  Because homelessness is a complex issue, continuous resources and coordinated efforts at all levels are critical to ensuring that the most vulnerable individuals are receiving the support services they need.

 

     Your Committees further note the Department of Transportation's request to use the funds appropriated to the Department to assist with homelessness-related issues at all of the properties under the Department's jurisdiction.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services, Housing, and Transportation and Energy that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 271 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health and Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services, Housing, and Transportation and Energy,

 

________________________________

WILL ESPERO, Chair

 

________________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair

 

 

________________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair