House Committee on Judiciary (JUD) - chair: Karl Rhoads, vice chair: Joy A. San Buenaventura

Friday, March 27, 2015, 3:00 p.m. Room 325

Testifier: Susan Dursin, Legislative Committee Member, LWV of Hawaii

Click here to view SB148 SD1

Chair Rhoads, Vice-Chair San Buenaventura, and Committee Members: The League of Women Voters of Hawaii supports SB148, SD1, which would include gambling among types of offenses subject to the nuisance abatement laws. Clearly, gambling is illegal and gambling rooms operate outside the law. However, shutting those rooms down often is difficult because landowners and landlords may be either unaware or complicit. This change enables law enforcement to advise landowners/landlords of their responsibilities in ensuring that no illegal activity occurs on their property. Because illegal gambling activity can generate disagreement and even violence, neighbors are often negatively impacted. They worry for themselves and for their children. With this law, an individual may take action. One of the problems with violations such as gambling rooms is that they are hard to target and hard to stop. Law enforcement simply does not have enough personnel to search continually for violators and monitor their actions. This proposed change in the law would widen the pool of people who may take steps to end illegal activity. It puts one more tool in the hands of law enforcement, enabling them to carry out their responsibilities more effectively. We urge you to support this bill. Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony.