Authorizes the state fire council to employ an administrative assistant; makes appropriation.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Section 132-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, establishes the state fire council, which consists of the fire chiefs of the counties. The functions of the state fire council is to adopt the state fire code, and to coordinate applications to the federal government for federal grant assistance for fire-related projects and to administer those grants. The state fire council also undertakes myriad other fire-prevention duties, including fire inspection and prevention.

Current law does not provide for an administrator for the state fire council. The legislature finds that an administrator is needed to assist the council with its operations to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the council.

The purpose of this Act is to authorize the state fire council to employ an administrator and an administrative assistant, and to specify the duties of the administrator.

SECTION 2. Section 132-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§132-16 State fire council; composition; functions. (a) There is established a state fire council which shall be placed within the department of labor and industrial relations for administrative purposes. The state fire council shall consist of the fire chiefs of the counties. The state fire council may appoint an advisory committee to assist it in carrying out its functions under this chapter. The advisory committee may include the heads of the various county building departments, a licensed architect recommended by the Hawaii Society of the American Institute of Architects, a licensed electrical engineer and a licensed mechanical engineer recommended by the Consulting Engineers Council of Hawaii, a representative of the Hawaii Rating Bureau, a representative of the Hawaii firefighters association, representatives of the county fire departments, and such other members of the public as the state fire council may determine can best assist it. The state fire council shall elect a chairperson from among its members.

(b) The state fire council may employ an administrator and an administrative assistant, without regard to chapters 76 and 89, who shall hold their respective positions at the pleasure of the council. The state fire council shall determine the amount of compensation for the administrator and the administrative assistant. The administrator shall have full power to administer the affairs of the council, subject to the direction and approval of the council, including all of the functions and duties of the council as specified in this section.

[(b)] (c) In addition to adopting a state fire code pursuant to section 132-3, the state fire council shall serve as a focal point through which all applications to the federal government for federal grant assistance for fire-related projects shall be made. Upon the receipt of any such federal grants, the state fire council shall administer those federal grants.

[(c)] (d) The state fire council may also:

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the employment of an administrator and administrative assistant by the state fire council.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of labor and industrial relations for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that sections 3 and 4 shall take effect on July 1, 2006.