STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3648

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1769

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1769, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate the rehabilitation of inmates who are incarcerated in private correctional institutions outside of the State.

Specifically, this measure requires the Director of Corrections and Rehabilitation to incrementally return committed felons incarcerated in private, out-of-state correctional institutions to in-state correctional facilities.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, Imua Alliance, Hawaii Friends of Restorative Justice, Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands and Ohana Unity Party, Ali`i Pauahi Hawaiian Civic Club, ACLU of Hawaii, Kauwamakaainanakahunaalii, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Your Committee finds that committing inmates to out-of-state correctional facilities separates those individuals from their families, cultures, and support systems, which undermines rehabilitation and creates barriers to successful reentry following release. Your Committee further finds that incrementally returning inmates to in-state correctional facilities will help to improve family unity, decrease trauma, and reduce recidivism rates.

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. 1769, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair