Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 982, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the number of public shelters available for emergency shelters.

Specifically, this measure provides funding to retrofit public buildings with the installation of hurricane protective measures so that they may serve as emergency shelters.

Your Committee finds that there is a significant shortage of adequate hurricane shelter space in Hawaii. As the public relies on the State to provide these spaces during hurricanes and tropical storms, your Committee believes the number of shelters should be increased to ensure the State is adequately prepared to handle an emergency situation posed by such weather conditions or phenomena.

Your Committee finds this measure is necessary for the health, safety, and general welfare of the public.

Your Committee amended this measure by:

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. 982, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 982, S.D. 2.