Bill Text: HI SB1294 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Hawaii Public Housing Authority; Appropriation

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [SB1294 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-SB1294-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 174

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1294

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Education and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 1294 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to make necessary repairs, improvements, or upgrades to the public housing projects within its jurisdiction so that the projects will be in compliance with federal and state laws.

 

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by two private organizations and one individual.  Testimony in opposition was submitted by one state agency.  Copies of written testimony on this measure are available for review on the Legislature's website.

 

     Your Committee finds that this measure would begin to address serious violations at public housing projects.  Federal laws require, for example, that a minimum of five per cent of total dwelling units be accessible to persons with mobility impairments, and an additional two per cent of the units must be accessible for persons with hearing or vision impairments.  These accessible units would be required to be distributed throughout projects and sites and be available in a sufficient range of sizes and amenities.

 

     Your Committee further finds that the Hawaii Public Housing Authority, by its own admission, is in violation of these accessibility requirements.  Your Committee has also heard that the Authority has plans in place to address the deficiencies, and in regards to accessibility compliance, currently has a waiting list for thirty accessible units.

 

     Your Committee further understands that the Authority would require $4,500,000 to bring these thirty units into compliance with federal requirements, and urges the Committee on Ways and Means to consider a request for $4,500,000 to improve disability access for thirty public housing units in their deliberations.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1294 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education and Housing,

 

		____________________________ NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair