Hawaii Senate Bill SR182

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/25
• Refer: 3/12/25
• Refer: 3/14/25

Caption

Requesting The Establishment Of An Intergovernmental Task Force To Eradicate Illegal Gambling And Drug Activities And To Establish Community Safe Zones.

Impact

The task force proposed in SR182 will be tasked with a comprehensive examination of the issues related to illegal gambling and drug activities. The primary goal will be to create a coordinated action plan to address these challenges, which may include the identification and eradication of illegal gambling houses and drug houses on a statewide basis. A notable aspect of the resolution is its direction to establish community safe zones, which would enforce zoning restrictions on lands designated for gambling activities, thereby aiming to control the proliferation of gambling in sensitive areas such as those near schools or churches.

Summary

Senate Resolution 182 (SR182) requests the establishment of an intergovernmental task force to address illegal gambling and drug activities in Hawaii. The resolution acknowledges the negative impacts these activities have on communities, including increases in violence and associated crimes like sex trafficking. It advocates for a unified approach that involves various federal and state agencies to collaboratively devise effective strategies against these criminal activities, rather than relying on isolated efforts. This proposal reflects a trend towards coordinated multi-agency collaboration in tackling complex community issues.

Contention

While the resolution lays out a proactive approach to mitigating illegal gambling and drug activities, it may face contention regarding the specifics of enforcement and community safe zones. Concerns may arise around the implications for those engaging in legitimate community activities or the additional regulatory burdens placed upon law enforcement and community agencies. The provision to maintain a distance of more than ten thousand feet from schools and churches for any gambling-related structure could lead to debates on the balance between regulation and community rights, particularly within areas marked for redevelopment or economic growth.