Bill Text: HI HB313 | 2012 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Inmate Rehabilitation; Historical Site Restoration; Appropriation

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-12-01 - Carried over to 2012 Regular Session. [HB313 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2012-HB313-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO.  506

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

 

RE:   H.B. No. 313

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 313, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CORRECTIONS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to reduce recidivism and help inmates make a successful transition back into the community by:

 

     (1)  Establishing the Hawaiian Cultural Restoration Program (Program) as a temporary pilot program within the Department of Public Safety (PSD);

 

     (2)  Specifying that the Program select non-violent inmates to participate in the restoration and rebuilding of culturally historic sites;

 

     (3)  Requiring the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to determine and identify the sites to be restored by the Program; and

 

     (4)  Requiring the State Historic Preservation Division to review and approve all proposed work to be conducted on, in, and around the selected historic sites.

 

     This measure also appropriates funds for the Program and requires that funds allocated to the program result in reduced appropriations to OHA of an equal amount.

     The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Community Alliance on Prisons and National Association of Reformed Criminals supported the intent of this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources and OHA offered comments.

 

     Providing for a successful transition of inmates from prison life to life in their communities is beneficial not only to the inmate, but their families or communities as well.  The Program has tremendous potential in accomplishing this.  Although concerns were raised that PSD is currently over-burdened and the establishment of the Program will add that to their responsibilities, your Committee finds the Program to be a worthwhile endeavor and respectfully requests PSD to work with the Judiciary in carrying out this project.

 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

 

     (1)  Substituting the term "low-custody inmate" for "non-violent inmate"; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 313, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 313, H.D. 2.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

____________________________ FAYE HANOHANO, Chair