HB835 CD1

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the closure of Del Monte Fresh Produce will have a significant adverse effect on pineapple workers. Housing ranks among their primary concerns. Currently, many employees, retirees, and their families live in plantation homes owned by the company at the Kunia camp and by Hawaiian Island Homes at the Poamoho camp. With the closure of Del Monte Fresh Produce, many of these families face the possibility of losing their homes. Housing is a fundamental need, to which every person should have access.

With the loss of their jobs, many pineapple workers and retirees will undergo a transition period as they seek new employment, participate in job training programs, or seek other opportunities. While employee incomes may be greatly diminished, workers and retirees must continue to make their housing payments and meet other living expenses. Many former employees and retirees in transition may find it difficult to retain their homes.

The legislature finds that providing assistance to these workers, retirees, and their families is for the benefit of the public health, safety, and welfare of the State.

The purpose of this Act is to assist former Del Monte Fresh Produce pineapple workers and retirees in danger of losing their homes by establishing a pineapple workers and retirees housing assistance fund to help eligible homeowners keep up with their mortgage payments and provide rental subsidies.

SECTION 2. Chapter 201H, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§201H- Pineapple workers and retirees housing assistance fund; established. (a) There is established in the state treasury the pineapple workers and retirees housing assistance fund to provide mortgage payments or rent subsidies for eligible Del Monte Fresh Produce pineapple workers and retirees and their families who are displaced or affected by the closure of Del Monte Fresh Produce. The pineapple workers and retirees housing assistance fund shall be administered by the corporation.

(b) Moneys appropriated for the purposes of this section shall be deposited into the pineapple workers and retirees housing assistance fund; provided that, upon fulfillment of the purposes of this section, all unencumbered moneys shall lapse into the general fund. The corporation shall establish guidelines with respect to eligible Del Monte Fresh Produce pineapple workers and retirees and mortgage payments or rental assistance payments under this section.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $600,000 for fiscal year 2007-2008 and the same sum for fiscal year 2008-2009 for deposit into the pineapple workers and retirees housing assistance fund established under section 201H- , Hawaii Revised Statutes.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the pineapple workers and retirees housing assistance fund the sum of $600,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 to provide mortgage payments or rent subsidies for eligible Del Monte Fresh Produce pineapple workers and retirees and their families who are displaced or affected by the closure of Del Monte Fresh Produce and to fund related administrative activities.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii housing finance and development corporation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	835
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1
		C.D. 1