STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3418

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 139

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.R. No. 139 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING TO INCREASE COMPENSATION FOR ADULT CORRECTIONS OFFICERS EMPLOYED BY THE STATE OF HAWAII'S DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the federal government to provide supplemental funding to increase compensation for adult corrections officers employed by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Your Committee received no testimony on this measure.

Your Committee finds that adult corrections officers perform high-risk duties under increasingly dangerous conditions. Despite intensive recruitment efforts by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the vacancy rate for adult corrections officers has remained high for years, resulting in increased workloads and higher rates of burnout and attrition. Without competitive compensation and long-term retention incentives, the State will continue to lose experienced officers, undermining the safety of both staff and incarcerated individuals. This measure raises awareness of the ongoing lack of adequate compensation and calls on the federal government to address the ongoing crisis.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 139 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,

________________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair