Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2569 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to enact the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

The Emergency Management Assistance Compact establishes authority for states to provide mutual assistance in managing any emergency or disaster that is declared by the governor of a member state, including natural and man-made disasters, technological hazards, community disorder, and insurgency or enemy attack.

The compact is crucial to Hawaii because of its geographical isolation and may also supplement any aid provided by the federal government. Member states are guaranteed reimbursement for all eligible assistance and are protected against tortious liability by the host state.

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 Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2569, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2569, S.D. 1.