Bill Text: HI HB1694 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Public Housing; Common Area Expenses; Minimum Rent; Preferences

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [HB1694 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-HB1694-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1043

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 1694

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Education and Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1694, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to ensure equitable public housing policies by:

 

     (1)  Requiring the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to establish a minimum rent schedule and annually adjust the minimum rent, based on the Consumer Price Index;

 

     (2)  Requiring the Authority to seek reimbursement from a tenant for the full cost incurred in repairing damages to the tenant's unit; and

 

     (3)  Prohibiting preferences for tenant selection.

 

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by one government agency and two individuals.  Two private organizations and one individual submitted testimony in opposition.  Comments were submitted by one private organization.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Public Housing Authority has not raised the minimum rents since 2001 for state family units and since 2005 for state elderly units.  Your Committee has heard that the Authority is in support of the requirement that the minimum rents be based on number of bedrooms, and the annual process to raise the rents to meet expenses, based on the Consumer Price Index.

 

     Your Committee further finds that the Authority currently seeks reimbursement for tenant-caused damages, and expects to increase the labor rate from $11 per hour to $35 per hour.

 

Previously, your Committee heard S.B. No. 1160, S.D. 1, which established assessments for common area expenses in state public housing projects, and has incorporated that concept in this measure as well.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure accordingly, by:

 

     (1)  Authorizing the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to assess all units in a state public housing project for common area expenses; and

 

     (2)  Deleting the prohibition on preferences for tenant selection.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1694, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1694, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education and Housing,

 

		____________________________ NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair