Bill Text: HI HB740 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Bill 740 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Hawaii Public Housing Authority; Intoxicating Liquor; Prohibitions

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2013-12-18 - Carried over to 2014 Regular Session. [HB740 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-HB740-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	740
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO OPEN CONTAINERS OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS IN PUBLIC HOUSING.

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

SECTION 1. Current laws prohibiting the consumption of intoxicating liquor on any sidewalk or in any common area of a public housing project have been difficult to enforce due to the requirement that the arresting officer or a witness observe the defendant consuming the intoxicating liquor.

The purpose of this Act is to reduce the consumption of alcohol on sidewalks and in common areas of state low-income housing projects by prohibiting the possession or storage of any open container of liquor in those areas, which will provide law enforcement with broader authority to prevent public consumption of alcohol.

SECTION 2. Chapter 281, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part VII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§281- Consuming or possessing intoxicating liquor while on a sidewalk or common area of a housing project; prohibited. (a) No person shall possess or store while on any sidewalk or common area within a public housing project as defined in section 356D-1 or state low-income housing project as defined in section 356D-51, any bottle, can, or other receptacle containing any intoxicating liquor that has been opened, or a seal broken, or the contents of which have been partially removed.

(b) Any person violating this section shall be guilty of a violation."

SECTION 3. Section 281-78, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) No person shall consume any liquor on any:

(1) Public highway, except as permitted in section 291‑3.4;

(2) Public sidewalk, including any sidewalk within a public housing project as defined in section 356D-1 or [~~356D-91;~~] state low-income housing project as defined in section 356D-51; or

(3) Common area of a public housing project as defined in section 356D-1 or [~~356D-91.~~] state low-income housing project as defined in section 356D-51. For purposes of this paragraph, "common area" means roofs, halls, corridors, lobbies, stairs, stairways, fire escapes, entrances and [[]exits[]] of the building or buildings, basements, yards, gardens, recreational facilities, parking areas, storage spaces, and other parts of the project normally in common use or other areas designated by the Hawaii public housing authority."

SECTION 4. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Hawaii Public Housing Authority; Intoxicating Liquor; Prohibitions

Description:

Prohibits the possession or storage of an open container holding intoxicating liquor on any sidewalk or common area within any public housing project under the jurisdiction of the Hawaii public housing authority

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