STAND. COM. REP. NO.1419

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: S.B. No. 1188

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 1188, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SENTENCING FOR DRUGS AND INTOXICATING COMPOUNDS OFFENSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to assist nonviolent drug possession offenders to get the help that they need to reduce the demand for illicit drugs and lower incidences of drug-related crimes by mandating community-based supervision and treatment for certain offenders in lieu of incarceration.

The Department of Public Safety, Department of Health, Office of the Public Defender, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, Mental Health Association in Hawaii, Community Alliance on Prisons, Government Efficiency Teams, Inc., T. J. Mahoney & Associates, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, and concerned citizens submitted testimony in support of the measure. The Hawaii Paroling Authority supported the intent of the measure.

The Judiciary, City and County of Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney, and Honolulu Police Department opposed this measure. A concerned citizen submitted comments.

Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1) Requiring sentencing of probation and community service for nonviolent drug possession offenses; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1188, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1188, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

DWIGHT Y. TAKAMINE, Chair