HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	28
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

urging the state capitol management committee to consider implementing 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 barriers to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering the capitol grounds or the rotunda; and

 

     WHEREAS, the capitol building is sometimes accessed by persons who do not visit for a specific purpose but who wander randomly; 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 implementing security improvements for the state capitol; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Capitol Management Committee is urged to collaborate with the United States Department of Homeland Security, 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 including the following types of security improvements for the state capitol:

 

     (1)  Controlled access points on the rotunda and chamber levels, having appropriate equipment to detect weapons and other contraband;

 

     (2)  Fencing or other appropriate barriers to prevent unauthorized vehicles from entering the capitol grounds or rotunda; and

 

     (3)  The employment of private personnel to staff controlled access points to screen for weapons and contraband, effectuate the security improvements, and perform these duties in coordination with the law enforcement personnel of the State and county; 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 any proposed legislation, 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 Secretary of Homeland Security, the Chair of the State Capitol Management Committee, the Governor, the Chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Comptroller, the Director of Public Safety, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the Chief of the Honolulu Police Department.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Urging Security Improvements at the State Capitol.