STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3868

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2512

H.D. 2

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2512, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OHANA ZONES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to address the issue of homelessness in the State.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Expands the statutory exemptions granted to the Ohana Zones Pilot Program contracts;

(2) Extends the sunset date for the Ohana Zones Pilot Program by three years, to June 30, 2026;

(3) Establishes a five-year Homeless Triage Center Pilot Program to be administered by the Department of Human Services; and

(4) Appropriates moneys for the Ohana Zones Pilot Program and Homeless Triage Center Pilot Program.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the City and County of Honolulu Office of Housing; AARP Hawaii; Catholic Charities Hawaii; Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice; Partners in Care; Institute for Human Services; Hawaii Habitat for Humanity; Planning for Community, LLC; and four individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Attorney General, Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Human Services, Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that continuing the Ohana Zones Pilot Program will sustain effective services that are essential to meet the needs of those who are experiencing housing instability or homelessness.

Your Committee notes that Senate Bill No. 3168, Senate Draft 2, which was previously passed by the Senate, is a substantially similar measure that:

(1) Extends the Ohana Zones Pilot Program until June 30, 2028;

(2) Establishes an Ohana Zones Program within the Hawaii Public Housing Authority as part of its rental assistance programs, to continue to address homelessness following the expiration of the Ohana Zones Pilot Program; and

(3) Appropriates moneys for the Ohana Zones Pilot Program.

Your Committee has amended this measure by deleting its contents and inserting the contents of Senate Bill No. 3168, Senate Draft 2, and further amending the measure by:

(1) Removing the appropriation; and

(2) Changing the effective date to make the measure effective upon its approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2512, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2512, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair