Bill Text: HI SB2455 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 2455

Introduced

Bill Title: Related To Graffiti.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-22 - Referred to PSM, WAM. [SB2455 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-SB2455-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2455
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

related to graffiti.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that graffiti, despite the various local, state, and federal laws, continues to be problematic in Hawaii. The impact of graffiti increases the cost to maintain and repair physical property. In 2018, New York City transit's graffiti cleaning cost was $610,956. The total cost associated with graffiti damage in the country has been estimated close to $15,000,000 annually.

The purpose of this Act is to establish the graffiti task force to identify ways to reduce graffiti in Hawaii.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of law enforcement for administrative purposes the graffiti task force.

(b) The task force shall consist of the following members, or their designee:

(1) The director of law enforcement, who shall serve as chairperson;

(2) The attorney general;

(3) The chief of police of each county police department;

(4) The prosecuting attorney from each county;

(5) The directors of the departments parks and recreation from each county;

(6) The comptroller; and

(7) The superintendent of education.

(c) The chairperson shall invite representatives of the following community organizations to serve as members of the task force:

(1) Community organizations that conduct graffiti cleanup;

(2) Youth groups, such as the boys and girls club;

(3) Student representatives from local high schools; and

(4) Chambers of commerce.

(d) The task force and their represented agencies:

(1) Shall propose a comprehensive strategy, including relevant timelines to reduce graffiti;

(2) May adopt strategies and solutions that have proven effective in other jurisdictions;

(3) May adopt, if appropriate, weed and seed strategies; and

(4) Shall submit a report of its comprehensive strategic plan, including its findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025.

(e) The task force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2025.

(f) For the purposes of this section, "weed and seed strategies" mean using local law enforcement to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted neighborhoods by weeding out the criminal element in the community, which includes law enforcement coordinating with community residents to develop solutions to end violent and drug-related crimes and seeding the community with human services that include prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood revitalization.

SECTION 3. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $50,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish the graffiti task force.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of law enforcement for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

DLE; Graffiti Task Force; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to establish the Graffiti Task Force within the Department of Law Enforcement to identify ways to reduce graffiti in Hawaii. Declares that the general services fund ceiling is exceeded. Makes an appropriation.

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