STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1054

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 625

       H.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 625, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to increase the State's preparedness for emergencies.

     Specifically, this measure appropriates funds for the 2007-2008 fiscal year to the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations for a feasibility study for a Hawaii state emergency response training facility.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the State Fire Council and the Honolulu Fire Department.  Testimony in support of the intent of this measure was submitted by the state Department of Defense.

     Your Committee finds that it is imperative that Hawaii's first responders, including the firefighters, law enforcement officers, conservation and resources enforcement officers, and others, are adequately trained and prepared to respond to natural and manmade disasters.  Your Committee further finds that in order to be adequately prepared, Hawaii's emergency response agencies need a training center in the State to conduct trainings for a wide range of situations and safety related tasks.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 625, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair