STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1176-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: S.B. No. 2647

S.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2647, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Landlord Incentive Program Special Fund to reimburse land owners who participate in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program for repair costs of tenant-caused property damage when the repair costs exceed the tenant's security deposit; and

(2) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, and Hawaii Association of REALTORS. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that some landlords in the State are reluctant to lease their units to section 8 voucher holders, leaving many families with no choice but to return the voucher that they waited many years to receive. The landlord incentive fund proposed by this measure will therefore provide some incentive to landlords to provide housing to those persons most in need.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2647, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair