Report Title:

Weed and Seed; Law Enforcement; Attorney General; Appropriations

 

Description:

Establishes a permanent weed and seed program within the department of the attorney general.  Creates a resource committee to guide the program, requires an annual report to the legislature, and appropriates funds.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1622

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to the weed and seed program.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The weed and seed strategy is a United States Department of Justice initiative that is administered locally by the United States Attorney's Office.  Initiated in 1992, the strategy currently includes more than three hundred sites in two hundred twenty-six cities across the country.  The successful weed and seed collaboration among federal, state, and county level law enforcement agencies, social service agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and residents have helped residents reclaim, restore, and rebuild communities.  The four key elements of the weed and seed strategy are:

     (1)  Law enforcement;

     (2)  Community policing;

     (3)  Prevention, intervention, and treatment programs; and

     (4)  Neighborhood restoration.

     The legislature finds that the State of Hawaii has greatly benefited from weed and seed programs at three sites:  Honolulu (which encompasses the Ala Moana, downtown, and Kalihi areas), Waipahu, and Ewa.  Since the implementation of the strategy, crime in those areas has been significantly reduced.  The legislature further finds that the strategy's success warrants expansion into other communities.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a permanent State weed and seed program within the department of the attorney general to continue the success of the weed and seed initiative.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established within the department of the attorney general the weed and seed program for the purpose of reducing crime and improving the quality of life for residents and neighborhoods in the State of Hawaii.  The program shall be a collaborative effort among residents, law enforcement agencies, social service providers, educators, area businesses and other resource agencies and support organizations to:

     (1)  Create, initiate, implement, and support responsible, community-based activities, projects, and services that help to reduce crime and drug use in neighborhoods;

     (2)  Engage members of the community to encourage the development and maintenance of economic and social well-being; and

     (3)  Teach and model collaborative efforts that focus on sustainable results.

     (b)  The state weed and seed program shall be guided by a resource committee comprised of representatives from various public and private sectors including but not limited to:

     (1)  Federal agencies such as the United States Attorney's Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development;

     (2)  State agencies such as the departments of education, health, human services, and public safety; Hawaii public housing authority; the office of the governor; and the office of the lieutenant governor;

     (3)  County agencies such as the office of the mayor, managing director, office of special projects, the prosecuting attorney, and the chief of police;

     (4)  Community and trade organizations such as Aloha United Way, YMCA of Honolulu, Honolulu Board of Realtors, Hawaii Tax Foundation, and other health, human service, and trade organizations; and

     (5)  Private businesses and corporate entities.

     (c)  The weed and seed program resource committee shall, not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2008 legislature, submit a report to the legislature and the governor on its activities, including projects completed or ongoing, funds expended, and other relevant data or information on the program.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $     , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, for the establishment and implementation of a state weed and seed program within the department of the attorney general.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of the attorney general for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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