STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2372

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2942

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2942 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness to develop and implement separate regional plans for various neighborhoods across the State to coordinate the services and shelter facilities of public agencies and nonprofit organizations to meet the concerns of impacted communities and various needs of the homeless population.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Homeless Program of Maui County. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services, Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, Institute for Human Services, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that homelessness is a significant issue throughout the State. However, your Committee finds urban Honolulu receives most of the moneys allocated to address the homelessness issue. Your Committee also finds that the State is failing to collaborate with various local nonprofit organizations throughout the State to address the homelessness issue. Your Committee believes that the severity of the homelessness and its diverse causes necessitate increased collaboration between the State, counties, neighborhood boards, and nonprofit organizations.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2942 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

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RUSSELL E. RUDERMAN, Chair