HB 2002: Office of Community Services; Neighborhood Security Watch Grant Program; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that volunteer neighborhood security watch and neighborhood citizen patrol groups provide localized support to safety efforts but often lack access to affordable space for meetings, training, and administrative coordination.  Limited, short-term assistance for the rental of existing government-owned facilities like schools can enhance the organizational capacity of these groups in efforts to build community, promote safe space, and deter criminal activity.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for a grant program to help fund certain activities and rental payments of established neighborhood security watch groups and neighborhood citizen patrol groups that rent government-owned facilities for a fee.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 371K, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§371K-     Neighborhood security watch grant program.  (a)  There shall be established within the office of community services the neighborhood security watch grant program to help fund certain activities and rental payments of neighborhood security watch groups and neighborhood citizen patrol groups that rent government-owned facilities for a fee.

     (b)  Grants provided pursuant to this section may be used to pay for costs to conduct meetings, training, administrative coordination activities, or community events and for rental payments to use federal, state, or county facilities that offer public accommodation for a fee; provided that grants shall not be used for:

     (1)  Long-term or exclusive lease agreements for real property;

     (2)  Equipment rentals; and

     (3)  Insurance requirements imposed as a condition of a facility use agreement or policy.

     (c)  Applicants to whom a grant has been awarded shall agree to comply with the following conditions before receiving the grant:

     (1)  Be, employ, or have under contract persons who are qualified to engage in the program or activity to be funded by the State; provided that for nonprofit organizations, no two or more members of a family or kin of the first or second degree shall be employed or under contract by the organization unless specifically permitted in writing by the office of community services;

     (2)  Comply with applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, age, or physical handicap;

     (3)  Agree not to use public funds for purposes of entertainment or perquisites;

     (4)  Comply with other requirements as the office of community services may prescribe to ensure adherence to federal, state, and county laws by the grant recipient; and

     (5)  Allow the office of community services, the legislative bodies, and the legislative auditor full access to records, reports, files, and other related documents so that the program, management, and fiscal practices of the grant recipient may be monitored and evaluated to assure the proper and effective expenditure of public funds.

     (d)  The office of community services shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to administer the grant program.

     (e)  For purposes of this section:

     "Neighborhood citizen patrol" means a community-based, volunteer group patrol coordinated by a county police department that meets and has fulfilled all of the requirements of the police department.

     "Neighborhood security watch" means a community-based, volunteer group organized for the purpose of promoting neighborhood safety that participates in, or is formally recognized by, a neighborhood security watch program administered by a county police department."

     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 2026-2027 to administer the neighborhood security watch grant program established under this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of labor and industrial relations for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Office of Community Services; Neighborhood Security Watch Grant Program; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for the Neighborhood Security Watch Grant Program to help fund certain activities and rental payments of established neighborhood security watch groups and neighborhood citizen patrol groups that rent government-owned facilities for a fee to carry out their duties.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to neighborhood safety.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that volunteer neighborhood security watch and neighborhood citizen patrol groups provide localized support to safety efforts but often lack access to affordable space for meetings, training, and administrative coordination.  Limited, short-term assistance for the rental of existing government-owned facilities like schools can enhance the organizational capacity of these groups in efforts to build community, promote safe space, and deter criminal activity.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for a grant program to help fund certain activities and rental payments of established neighborhood security watch groups and neighborhood citizen patrol groups that rent government-owned facilities for a fee.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 371K, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§371K-     Neighborhood security watch grant program.  (a)  There shall be established within the office of community services the neighborhood security watch grant program to help fund certain activities and rental payments of neighborhood security watch groups and neighborhood citizen patrol groups that rent government-owned facilities for a fee.

     (b)  Grants provided pursuant to this section may be used to pay for costs to conduct meetings, training, administrative coordination activities, or community events and for rental payments to use federal, state, or county facilities that offer public accommodation for a fee; provided that grants shall not be used for:

     (1)  Long-term or exclusive lease agreements for real property;

     (2)  Equipment rentals; and

     (3)  Insurance requirements imposed as a condition of a facility use agreement or policy.

     (c)  Applicants to whom a grant has been awarded shall agree to comply with the following conditions before receiving the grant:

     (1)  Be, employ, or have under contract persons who are qualified to engage in the program or activity to be funded by the State; provided that for nonprofit organizations, no two or more members of a family or kin of the first or second degree shall be employed or under contract by the organization unless specifically permitted in writing by the office of community services;

     (2)  Comply with applicable federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, age, or physical handicap;

     (3)  Agree not to use public funds for purposes of entertainment or perquisites;

     (4)  Comply with other requirements as the office of community services may prescribe to ensure adherence to federal, state, and county laws by the grant recipient; and

     (5)  Allow the office of community services, the legislative bodies, and the legislative auditor full access to records, reports, files, and other related documents so that the program, management, and fiscal practices of the grant recipient may be monitored and evaluated to assure the proper and effective expenditure of public funds.

     (d)  The office of community services shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to administer the grant program.

     (e)  For purposes of this section:

     "Neighborhood citizen patrol" means a community-based, volunteer group patrol coordinated by a county police department that meets and has fulfilled all of the requirements of the police department.

     "Neighborhood security watch" means a community-based, volunteer group organized for the purpose of promoting neighborhood safety that participates in, or is formally recognized by, a neighborhood security watch program administered by a county police department."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $75,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to administer the neighborhood security watch grant program established under this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of labor and industrial relations for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

Office of Community Services; Neighborhood Security Watch Grant Program; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for the Neighborhood Security Watch Grant Program to help fund certain activities and rental payments of established neighborhood security watch groups and neighborhood citizen patrol groups that rent government-owned facilities for a fee to carry out their duties.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  737-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 2002

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2002 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for the Neighborhood Security Watch Grant Program to help fund certain activities and rental payments of established neighborhood security watch groups and neighborhood citizen patrol groups that rent government-owned facilities for a fee to carry out their duties.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Waikiki Neighborhood Board and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that neighborhood security watch and neighborhood citizen patrol groups provide valuable community‑based support for public safety but often lack affordable access to meeting and training space.  Your Committee further finds that offering short‑term financial assistance for rental costs of government‑owned facilities will strengthen these groups’ ability to organize, coordinate volunteers, and promote safer neighborhoods.  This measure will help enhance community engagement and improve neighborhood safety by supporting these essential grassroots efforts.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount; and

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

     Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $75,000.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2002, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2002, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,