STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1082

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 83

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 83, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Allow the Department of Human Services to establish puuhonua safe zones where homeless persons may reside; and

 

     (2)  Appropriate funds for establishing puuhonua safe zones.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawaii, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, and two individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from The Institute for Human Services and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, Department of Human Services, and Department of Land and Natural Resources.

 

     Your Committee finds that due to economic constraints, the supply of subsidized housing is, and will continue to be, woefully insufficient for the foreseeable future.  Consequently, illegal homeless camps, which are a public health menace, are ubiquitous.  The State must therefore explore the establishment of alternative housing options that will ensure that homeless individuals are housed and receive much needed support services.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by deleting its contents and inserting language that:

 

     (1)  Requires the Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness, in conjunction with and the advisement of the Department of Human Services and Department of Land and Natural Resources, to establish a working group to examine and develop recommendations related to the establishment of safe zones for persons experiencing homelessness;

 

     (2)  Specifies various issues that the working group shall take into consideration;

 

     (3)  Requires the working group 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 2018; and

 

     (4)  Appropriates funds to support the activities of the working group.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 83, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 83, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Labor and Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

 

 

 

________________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair