SB 602: RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the hawaii public housing authority.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that parking areas and vacant land parcels under the jurisdiction of the Hawaii public housing authority are places where incidents of vandalism and other types of property damage often occurs.  In addition, residents of public housing are often forced to cope with litter, trash, and excessive noise in the parking areas of public housing.  These unsanitary circumstances and nuisances are often times caused by persons who do not actually reside at the public housing facility.  The legislature further finds that closing certain problem areas to the public, coupled with appropriate signage and empowerment of law enforcement to police violators will better enable the Hawaii public housing authority to mitigate or eliminate these concerns.

     The purpose of this Act is to expressly provide conditions under which all parcels under the jurisdiction of the Hawaii public housing authority and authority offices and facilities may be closed to the public so that trespassing violations may be prosecuted as criminal trespass in the second degree.

     SECTION 2.  Section 356D-6.7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§356D-6.7[]]  Closed to the public.  (a)  Any area within a housing project or on a parcel owned by the authority that is not a public street, road, highway, sidewalk, or county or state bus stop, shall be closed to the public where signs are displayed that read:  "Closed to the Public – No Trespassing", or a substantially similar message; provided that the signs:

     (1)  Contain letters no less than two inches in height; and

     (2)  Are placed at reasonable intervals no less than three signs to a mile along the boundary line of the areas that are closed to the public and at all entrances to the property, in a manner and position to be clearly noticeable from outside the boundary line.

     (b)  Any authority office or facility shall be closed to the public during non-business hours where signs are displayed that read:  "Closed to the Public – No Trespassing" or a substantially similar message and include hours of operation.

     [(b)] (c)  For the purposes of this section[:

     "Housing project"], "housing project" means a public housing project, elder or elderly housing, as defined in section 356D-1, or state low-income housing project, as defined in section 356D-51."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

HPHA; Public Housing; Public Closure; Offices and Facilities; Trespassing

Description:

Includes any parcels owned by the Hawaii Public Housing Authority as areas that may be closed to the public.  Specifies required signage.

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.  2038

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   S.B. No. 602

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 602 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to provide conditions under which all parcels under the jurisdiction of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and authority offices and facilities shall be closed to the public so that trespassing violations may be prosecuted as criminal trespass in the second degree.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that public housing residents frequently experience vandalism, property damage, excessive noise, and unsanitary conditions in parking areas and vacant land parcels under the jurisdiction of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.  Many of these issues are caused by individuals who do not reside in the public housing facilities, leading to safety concerns and decreased quality of life for residents.  This measure will help reduce trespassing and nuisances, ultimately creating a safer and more livable environment for public housing residents, by clearly designating certain areas as closed to the public, implementing proper signage, and empowering law enforcement to address violations.

     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 S.B. No. 602 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1346

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   S.B. No. 602

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 602 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to provide conditions under which all parcels under the jurisdiction of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and authority offices and facilities may be closed to the public so that trespassing violations may be prosecuted as criminal trespass in the second degree.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

     Your Committee finds that incidents arise on Hawaii Public Housing Authority property due to the presence of uninvited individuals.  This measure clarifies the conditions under which Hawaii Public Housing Authority properties may be closed to the public to protect the well-being of its tenants and staff and provide a safer living environment for public housing tenants and the surrounding community.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 602 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 955

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 602

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 602 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to expressly provide conditions under which all parcels under the jurisdiction of the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) and authority offices and facilities may be closed to the public.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority.

     Your Committee finds that the mission of HPHA is to provide affordable housing that is decent, safe, and sanitary for Hawaii's communities.  Your Committee further finds that parking areas and vacant land parcels under the jurisdiction of HPHA are often vandalized or damaged and that tenants of HPHA property are often forced to cope with litter, trash, and excessive noise in the parking areas of that property.  According to testimony received by your Committee, these incidents often arise due to the presence of uninvited individuals.  By including any parcels owned by the HPHA as areas that may be closed to the public, this measure allows the offense of trespassing on HPHA property to be prosecuted as criminal trespass in the second degree, thereby empowering HPHA to mitigate or eliminate the presence of uninvited individuals and fulfill its mission to provide a safe environment for its tenants, staff, and surrounding community. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 602 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 147

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 602

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 602 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Include any parcels owned by the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) as areas that may be closed to the public; and

     (2)  Specify required signage.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Public Housing Authority and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that safety of residents statewide is of paramount importance.  However, there has been an increase in dangerous incidents at HPHA properties arising from uninvited individuals.  Clarifying conditions that specify which HPHA properties are closed to the public will deter individuals and activities that disturb the community and will allow prosecution of trespassers in accordance with state law.  Therefore, this measure protects the safety and welfare of tenants in HPHA units while promoting a safer living environment for the surrounding community.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 602 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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