HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

28

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE STATE CAPITOL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE STATE CAPITOL.

 

 


     WHEREAS, the state capitol building opened in 1969, is the State's central meeting and decision-making location, and is open to the general public during operating hours; and

 

     WHEREAS, the capitol building was designed and constructed during an era in which security concerns were much different than they are today; and

 

     WHEREAS, the capitol building does not include metal detectors or controlled access points to deter weapons and other contraband; and

 

     WHEREAS, the capitol building also does not include adequate security measures to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering the capitol grounds or the rotunda; and

 

     WHEREAS, visitors to the state capitol building have sometimes caused disturbances or created dangerous situations, including making direct threats to visitors or capitol employees; and

 

     WHEREAS, there is a need to improve security at the state capitol building to better ensure public safety at the capitol; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2018, the Senate concurring, that the State Capitol Management Committee is urged to consider security improvements for the state capitol; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Capitol Management Committee is urged to collaborate with the Governor, the Legislature, the Department of Accounting and General Services, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Department of Public Safety, and the Honolulu Police Department regarding potential security improvements for the state capitol; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Capitol Management Committee is urged to consider security improvements that will allow for controlled access points on the rotunda and chamber levels when appropriate, the detection of weapons and other contraband, and the prevention of unauthorized vehicles from entering the capitol grounds or rotunda, but that do not diminish the capitol building's unique and valued tradition of being open, welcoming, and accessible to the people of Hawaii and visitors from around the world; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources State Historic Preservation Division is urged to promptly evaluate the potential necessity of any exemptions from applicable historic preservation designations or related restrictions to accomplish the security improvements; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Capitol Management Committee is requested to provide a report on its efforts to effectuate the purposes of this measure, including a comprehensive security plan for the state capitol and a budget detailing funds necessary for implementing and maintaining the proposed security plan, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2019 Regular Session; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chair of the State Capitol Management Committee, Governor, Chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Comptroller, Director of Public Safety, Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, and Chief of the Honolulu Police Department.

Report Title: 

Urging Security Improvements at the State Capitol.