STAND. COM. REP. NO. 824

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 910

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 910 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF HOMELESS PROGRAMS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to transfer the functions and duties of the Homeless Programs Branch of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to the Benefit, Employment, and Support Services Division within the Department of Human Services.

 

      Your Committee received two written comments on this measure.  Copies of written comments are available for review on the Legislature's website.

 

     Your Committee finds that the Homeless Programs Branch of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority provides similar services and serves many of the same persons as the Benefit, Employment, and Support Services Division.  Both agencies are housed within the Department of Human Services.  This division of labor results in an overlap of efforts, failure to coordinate activities, and unnecessary expenditures by both agencies.  Your Committee believes that consolidating homeless services within one agency will increase efficiency and streamline the provision of services to Hawaii's homeless population, both individuals and families.

 

Accordingly, your Committee finds that the Benefit, Employment, and Support Services Division is the more appropriate agency in which to consolidate homeless services, as it is currently equipped to offer programs such as job training, child care, and general assistance to the homeless.

 

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to January 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on this measure; and

 

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

 

     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 S.B. No. 910, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 910, S.D. 1.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair