HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	72
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the governor to designate a state agency to Develop a statewide land use strategy to mitigate potential hazards caused by catastrophic disasters.

     WHEREAS, every state is susceptible to a variety of natural and man‑made hazards that can potentially produce catastrophic disasters; and

     WHEREAS, science and recent experience suggest that the frequency and severity of natural and man‑made disasters may be increasing; and

     WHEREAS, shifting social, cultural, and economic factors have resulted in increased concentrations of individuals and property being exposed to potentially catastrophic disasters; and

     WHEREAS, adequate planning is essential to protect public safety, avert economic loss, and accelerate recovery following a catastrophic disaster; and

     WHEREAS, hazard mitigation concerns should be balanced with other social goals, such as economic development, environmental interest, infrastructure needs, sustainability, and aesthetics; and

     WHEREAS, the consideration of hazard mitigation when developing land use policies can help advance the quality of life in communities; and

     WHEREAS, certain land use policies can help diminish the likelihood and severity of losses caused by catastrophic disasters; and

     WHEREAS, these land use policies can also help minimize the cost of insurance that is otherwise affected by the risk of loss from catastrophic disasters; and

     WHEREAS, relevant federal, state, and local government agencies should coordinate the development and implementation of land use policies that can help mitigate hazards caused by catastrophic disasters; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the Senate concurring, that the Governor is requested to designate an executive agency, including any and as many personnel from that agency or any other executive agency as the Governor deems necessary or appropriate to:

     (1)  Research state land use laws and county zoning and subdivision ordinances to determine the extent to which they help to mitigate potential hazards caused by catastrophic disasters, including fires, flood, tidal wave, volcanic eruption, and earthquake;

     (2)  Review the National Conference of Insurance Legislators' State Uniform Building Code Model Act and any other land use policies that are generally recommended for mitigating potential hazards caused by catastrophic disasters;

     (3)  Research whether state or local agencies may be eligible for disaster mitigation grants, related to coordinated land use planning strategies, that are administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or other federal agencies;

     (4)  Develop a statewide land use strategy to mitigate potential hazards caused by catastrophic disasters.  The statewide land use strategy should include:

          (A)  Measureable objectives;

          (B)  Implementation timelines;

          (C)  Methods for state and local agency collaboration;

          (D)  Consideration of the rights and responsibilities of property owners;

          (E)  A provision regarding consumer education; and

          (F)  A provision for periodic review and amendment, as necessary; and

     (5)  Recommend amendments to state land use laws and county zoning and subdivision ordinances that will further the proposed statewide land use strategy;

     (6)  In developing a statewide land use strategy, consult with the Department of Defense, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Insurance Commissioner, Land Use Commission, State Fire Council, county planning departments, county civil defense agencies, and other interested stakeholders; and

     (7)  Submit a report of its findings and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2010 Regular Session; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Adjutant General; Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Insurance Commissioner; Chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; Chair of the Land Use Commission; Chair of the State Fire Council; Director of the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting; Director of the Kauai Department of Planning; Director of the Maui Department of Planning; Director of the Hawaii County Planning Department; Acting Administrator of the Oahu Civil Defense Agency; Acting Administrator of the Hawaii Civil Defense Agency; Administrator of the Kauai Civil Defense Agency; and Administrator of the Maui Civil Defense Agency.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Land Use Policies; Mitigation of Hazards