HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

73

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

  

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE TO CONSIDER EXPEDITED LICENSING OR LICENSING EXEMPTIONS FOR CONTRACTORS AND TRADESMEN FOLLOWING A NATURAL DISASTER.

 

 

WHEREAS, the devastating effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have elevated the State of Hawaii's concerns over disaster preparedness; and

WHEREAS, the efforts to reconstruct and repair damaged homes and businesses are critical to the re-establishment of normalcy in a community after a natural disaster; and

WHEREAS, the gulf coast hurricanes have shown that, generally, there may not be sufficient licensed contractors and tradesmen to repair the damages following a natural disaster; and

WHEREAS, accordingly, it is critical that the State address the possibility that there may not be enough licensed tradesmen and contractors to meet the needs of Hawaii's residents in the event of a natural disaster; and

WHEREAS, issues relating to the emergency licensing of construction-related professionals require serious discussion; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the Senate concurring, that the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is requested to establish a task force to consider Hawaii's needs for reconstruction and repair following a natural disaster, including issues related to:

(1) The expedited licensure of contractors and tradesmen;

(2) The exemption from licensure of contractors and tradesmen; and

(3) The establishment of price controls on building materials and supplies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the task force are requested to include:

(1) One person each from:

(A) The State Contractors License Board;

(B) The Board of Electricians and Plumbers; and

(C) The Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board;

(2) One person, appointed by the Insurance Commissioner, representing an insurer that writes at least twenty per cent of the Hawaii homeowners insurance market;

(3) One person, appointed by the Insurance Commissioner, representing an insurer that writes less than twenty per cent of the Hawaii homeowners insurance market;

(4) One person from the Property and Casualty Insurance Association of America;

(5) One person from the Regulated Industries Complaint Office or a designee;

(6) One person from the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division or a designee;

(7) One person from the Department of Accounting and General Services or a designee;

(8) The vice director of Civil Defense or a designee;

(9) One person from the Office of Consumer Protection or a designee;

(10) The Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs or a designee; and

(11) Three persons from construction materials supply houses, appointed by the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force members are requested to serve on a voluntary basis and to assume responsibility for any costs associated with their participation on the task force; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is requested to submit a report of findings and recommendations including proposed legislation to the Legislature, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2007; that includes the positive and negative implications of expedited licensing or licensing exemptions for contractors and tradesmen following a natural disaster in Hawaii and the establishment of price controls on building materials following a natural disaster; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Comptroller, the Adjutant General and Director of Civil Defense, the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Insurance Commissioner, the Chair of the Contractors License Board, the Chair of the Board of Electricians and Plumbers, the Chair of the Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board, the Complaints and Enforcement Officer of the Regulated Industries Complaint Office, the Division Administrator of the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division, and the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America.

 

 
 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Contractors; Task Force