HR46

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

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

WHEREAS, the gulf hurricanes have shown that there may not be sufficient numbers of licensed contractors and tradespersons following a natural disaster; and

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

WHEREAS, it is important that the problems that occurred after Hurricanes Iwa and Iniki must not recur; and

WHEREAS, the State should have in place specific criteria for expedited licensing and licensing exemptions for contractors and tradespersons; and

WHEREAS, the State does not currently have criteria established by statute or rule; and

WHEREAS, statutory amendments to implement criteria are necessary; and

WHEREAS, the emergency licensing of these professionals requires discussion; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2007, that the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is requested to establish a task force on the supply of contractors and tradespersons in times of natural disaster, to study, in the event of a natural disaster in Hawaii, the advisability and feasibility of:

(1) Expedited licensure, temporary licensure, or special circumstances licensure of contractors and tradespersons; and

(2) Exemption from licensure of contractors and tradespersons; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be composed of twelve members, as follows:

(1) The Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, or designee, to serve as chair;

(2) The Executive Officer of the State Contractors License Board;

(3) The Executive Officer of the Board of Electricians and Plumbers;

(4) The Executive Officer of the Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board;

(5) One representative of an insurer that writes at least twenty per cent of the Hawaii homeowners insurance market, to be selected by the Insurance Commissioner;

(6) The Complaints and Enforcement Officer of the Regulated Industries Complaints Office, or designee;

(7) The Division Administrator of the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, or designee;

(8) One representative from the Subcontractors Association of Hawaii;

(9) One representative from the Building Industry Association of Hawaii;

(10) One representative from the General Contractors Association of Hawaii;

(11) One representative from the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.-Hawaii Chapter; and

(12) One representative from the Hawaii Association of Realtors; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force members serve without compensation and without reimbursement for expenses; 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 2008; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Executive Officer of the State Contractors License Board, the Executive Officer of the Board of Electricians and Plumbers, the Executive Officer of the Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board, the Insurance Commissioner, the Complaints and Enforcement Officer of the Regulated Industries Complaints Office, the Division Administrator of the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Subcontractors Association of Hawaii, the Building Industry Association of Hawaii, the General Contractors Association of Hawaii, the Associated Builders and Contractors, the Hawaii Association of Realtors, and the Governor.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Task Force on Contractors and Tradespersons

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	46
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII