Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Land Use topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee passes HB 73 to bar use of public land for immigration detention facilities
Summary
The committee advanced HB 73, which would prohibit setting aside state public land for immigration detention facilities. Testimony emphasized protecting public land for local needs and concerns about federal detention capacity and conditions.
The House Committee on Economic Development and Technology voted to pass HB 73 as introduced, a bill that would prohibit setting aside public land for the establishment of immigration detention facilities.
Testimony in support came from immigrant-rights groups, community members and advocates. Liza Ryan Gill of the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights told the committee, “We stand in strong support of this bill,” and argued the federal government already leases significant land in Hawaii and should not be provided additional public land for detention centers. Kyra, a Kaneohe resident, said public land should serve local community needs such as affordable housing and local food production rather than facilities “known for poor conditions, overcrowded living spaces, unsanitary environments, and lack of medical care.”
Supporters noted concerns about county and state jail capacity and urged that federal immigration enforcement should use federal detention resources rather than occupying local jail space. The chair reported 85 testimonies in support and 40 in opposition for HB 73.
The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass HB 73 as introduced. The chair recorded no amendments at decision making and said the recommendation was adopted.
Why it matters: Advocates emphasized land-use priorities and humanitarian concerns; supporters said the bill would protect scarce public land for local housing and food-security efforts. The bill will advance in the legislative process.
