Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2397 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to make an emergency appropriation of $1,000,000 from the State Disaster Revolving Loan Fund to respond to requests for assistance resulting from heavy rain and flooding in December 2003.

The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and three concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.

In December 2003, heavy rains caused severe flooding on Oahu, especially in the areas of Mapunapuna and Moanalua. On December 23, 2003, the Governor issued a disaster proclamation to help mitigate losses suffered by residents and businesses as a consequence of this flooding.

Since federal disaster loans will not be provided in this instance, the state loans are the only relief available for those affected by this disaster. Your Committee finds that making this emergency appropriation is in the best interest of the public.

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. 2397 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.