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. 2780 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to exempt county fire fighters from civil damages for any acts or omissions while carrying out their duties.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the County of Kauai and four Maui County Council members. Testimony in opposition was received from the Consumer Lawyers of Hawaii.

This measure adds county fire fighters to the law providing an exception to liability for county lifeguards (Act 170, Session Laws of Hawaii 2002). Your Committee previously passed a measure to remove the sunset date of Act 170. County fire fighters need the same protection from liability as do county lifeguards. Both perform critical life-saving acts in the normal course of their duties.

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. 2780 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.