Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation and Government Operations and Education and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2214 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to enhance the State's civil defense responsiveness in times of natural disaster to protect the public health, safety, welfare, and property, by providing for:

(1) Building code standards for state buildings;

(2) Civil defense sirens in new developments;

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the State Civil Defense, Disability and Communication Access Board, and one individual. Comments were received from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Department of Taxation, Department of Accounting and General Services, Public Utilities Commission, Housing and Community Development Corporation of Hawaii, State Insurance Commissioner, Office of Consumer Protection, Division of Consumer Advocacy, State Farm Insurance Company, Tax Foundation of Hawaii, and one individual. Testimony in opposition was received from the Hawaiian Electric Company, Maui Electric Company, and Hawaii Electric Light Company.

Your Committees find that the State needs to significantly improve its emergency preparedness program for major disasters and to accelerate response and recovery operations during and after disasters. This measure represents the priority concerns of the State Civil Defense.

According to the State Civil Defense, hazards and disasters include hurricanes, flash floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, subsidence of land or landslides; urban fires, power failures, wild fires, hazardous material situations, droughts, aircraft accidents, tornadoes and water spouts, dam failures, radiological incidences, terrorism, and civil disorders.

Emergency and disaster preparedness basically involves continuous planning, effective and efficient response including evacuation, training, and the development of infrastructure and warning systems. To make this happen, coordinated effort and planning are necessary over a broad spectrum of public and private entities, including the state, counties, federal government, national guard, law enforcement, and hospitals. The aim is prevention, protection, response, and recovery.

The State must have a comprehensive emergency preparedness program to mitigate hazards, enhance preparedness for major disasters, and accelerate response and recovery when disaster strikes. The goal is to enhance and fortify the State's ability to save lives and protect property in the event of disaster.

Your Committees further find that current concerns and challenges for the State civil defense are the lack of emergency spaces throughout the State, evacuation of tourists and residents, evacuation of the special needs population, special needs emergency shelters, development and maintenance of plans, and public awareness and involvement.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Government Operations and Education and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2214, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2214, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.