Bill Text: HI HCR115 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Concurrent Resolution 115 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Capitol Security Plan

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-1)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2016-04-08 - Referred to PSM/GVO, WAM. [HCR115 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-HCR115-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	115
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the department of public safety to consult with the state Capitol Management Committee and to develop and implement a master security plan that will increase safety and security in the state Capitol building through the use of metal detectors, x-ray scans of baggage, and other prudent measures.

WHEREAS, terrorism, violence, and threats of violence in public forums have become increasingly common and our state government must do more to ensure that citizen engagement does not come at the expense of public safety; and

WHEREAS, the United States Department of Homeland Security's Interagency Security Committee, whose mission is to develop security standards and best practices for nonmilitary federal facilities, has issued guidance detailing "best practices" and recommendations for the protection of federal facilities, employees, contractors, and visitors; and

WHEREAS, these recommendations include using security countermeasures such as metal detectors and x-ray machines at pedestrian and public entrances of federal buildings; and

WHEREAS, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, twenty-eight states currently utilize walk-through metal detectors at the public entrances of their capitol buildings; and

WHEREAS, in Hawaii, the Judiciary, co-equal to the legislative and executive branches of government, welcomes members of the public to come to court and observe firsthand the administration of justice � but nevertheless requires all visitors to first pass through metal detectors and have their personal belongings undergo x-ray baggage screening; and

WHEREAS, in contrast, the Hawaii State Capitol building is known as one of the most publicly accessible capitol buildings in the nation, but is also one of the most vulnerable � precisely because there are no provisions for mandatory security screening of visitors; and

WHEREAS, the value of open access to "the people's house" must be balanced with the need to ensure the physical safety and well-being of the visiting public, Capitol staff, Legislators, and other building occupants; and

WHEREAS, it is within the purview of the State Capitol Management Committee, established pursuant to Act 97, Session Laws of Hawaii 2014 and now codified in section 6E-34.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to develop and implement a master security plan that will increase safety and security in the State Capitol building through the use of metal detectors, x-ray scans of baggage, and other prudent measures; and

WHEREAS, the development and implementation of a security plan is consistent with the committee's authority to oversee and manage the State Capitol and approve all policies and procedures relating to the Capitol's general operation and management and its grounds and facilities, including general security policies; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Public Safety possesses the requisite security expertise to develop and implement security protocols for the State Capitol since it is already responsible for law enforcement at the State Capitol; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2016, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Public Safety is requested to consult with the Department of Accounting and General Services and the State Capitol Management Committee and to develop a master security plan that will increase safety and security in the State Capitol building through the use of metal detectors, x-ray scans of baggage, and other prudent measures; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Public Safety is requested to provide a report on the status of the security plan, including any proposed legislation, to the State Capitol Management Committee and the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2017; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the Director of Public Safety, the Comptroller, and the Chairperson of the State Capitol Management Committee.