Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1752 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to authorize the ratification of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).

The Adjutant General testified in opposition to this measure.

EMAC provides a mechanism for states to receive interstate aid in a disaster. Even when federal assistance is merited, assistance via the EMAC may be more readily available or cheaper. This assistance may supplement federal assistance when available, or replace federal assistance when unavailable.

Ratifying EMAC will help to promote public safety. Although the Adjutant General is confident that the state is properly prepared to deal with emergencies in other ways, your Committee finds that ratification of EMAC is a prudent additional safeguard to bolster existing preparations.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1752 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.