Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2124 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the owner of a former commercial or industrial structure to make a reasonable effort to repair any damage under certain circumstances, and makes procedural requirements upon the counties.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Kauai Office of Economic Development and Hawaii Tourism Authority. Testimony in opposition was received from Kamehameha Schools.

This measure applies to a building or other facility that is larger than five thousand square feet, has not been used for commercial or industrial purposes for at least two years, or has been damaged by natural disaster so as to pose a public health, safety, or welfare danger. This measure also imposes penalties to be paid to the counties.

Your Committee finds that large commercial or industrial buildings and facilities that are dilapidated or exhibit severe structural damage pose unsightly and potentially dangerous hazards to the public.

Your Committee further finds that requiring property owners to effectively and responsibly repair their property within a reasonable time contributes to the economic strength of communities, particularly those that rely heavily on tourism.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2124, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2124, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.