KAILUA-KONA >> Local lawmakers on the Big Island are postponing a bill that could affect property of homeless people.

West Hawaii Today reported Wednesday that Councilman Dru Kanuha of Kona postponed the bill after hearing about a dozen people express concerns about the measure to allow the county to confiscate personal property left in public places.

Kanuha says the bill doesn’t target the homeless. Others who testified disagreed.

Commander David Carlson of American Legion Kona Post 20 says the county shouldn’t be rough on the homeless because they can’t handle it. He says taking away their possessions isn’t helpful.

Public works officials say the bill came about because the department found personal property in a driveway leading to a baseyard. Officials discovered there were no procedures to deal with the property.