HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	865
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the state capitol.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that increasing threats to public safety have warranted increased security measures at many federal, state, and county facilities.  These security measures include the installation of metal detectors and screening to prevent incidents of gun violence that are now common throughout the United States, as well as the erection of vehicular barriers to prevent incidents such as the bombing of Oklahoma City's Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building that occurred in 1995.

     The legislature finds that more than fifty years ago, Hawaii's state capitol and the surrounding capitol district were designed to stand as a proud symbol of Hawaii's state government.  It was intended for the design to provide easy public access to elected officials, a value of great importance to our democracy.  However, ease of access must be tempered with protecting against modern threats and preserving the safety of visitors and those who work in the state capitol.

     The legislature finds that, currently, there are no meaningful security measures in place to restrict weapons, explosives, or vehicular access at the Hawaii state capitol.

     The purpose of this Act is to begin reasonable preventative short-term and long-term measures to protect public safety while also preserving, to the extent possible, public access at the Hawaii state capitol, rather than wait for a tragic incident and loss of life to occur before action is taken.

     SECTION 2.  The department of accounting and general services, in consultation with the legislature and any agencies responsible for security at the state capitol and Washington Place, shall develop and implement an enhanced security plan that:

     (1)  Ensures safety at the state capitol by screening visitors for weapons while preserving public access;

     (2)  Prevents surface level unauthorized vehicular access to the state capitol and surrounding grounds while preserving the viewplanes and the historic character of the capitol district; and

     (3)  Prevents unauthorized vehicular access to the underground state capitol parking garage by moving public parking to a new location.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to begin implementation of short-term improvements and planning for any long-term improvements described in section 2, including:

     (1)  Planning, design, and installation of metal detectors, screening stations, and related equipment and improvements;

     (2)  Planning, design, and installation of vehicle barriers and related site and ground improvements incorporated appropriately into the landscape;

     (3)  Planning and design for the redesign and reconstruction of state capitol parking facilities to prevent unauthorized vehicular access and relocate public parking from the state capitol to another site; and

     (4)  Hiring or contracting       full-time equivalent (     FTE) security personnel positions.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  The department of accounting and general services shall submit a report to the legislature on its progress and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2024, 2025, and 2026.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

DAGS; Department of Public Safety; State Capitol; Washington Place; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Accounting and General Services, in consultation with the Legislature and appropriate agencies, to develop and implement an enhanced security plan for the state capitol.  Appropriates moneys for enhanced security measures and security improvements.  Appropriates moneys.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.