Report Title:

Private safe room development

Description:

Amends the definition of "wind resistive devices" to include residential safe rooms for grant eligibility to encourage the private development of safe rooms.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1426
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE LOSS MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  During the special session of 2005, the legislature directed the department of defense to develop Hawaii public shelter and residential safe room design criteria.  The legislature also amended the definition of "wind resistive devises" in section 431:22-101, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to include the safe room design criteria developed by the department of defense.  The public shelter and residential safe room design criteria have been developed.  Pursuant to section 431:22-104(b), Hawaii Revised Statutes, the description, specifications, guidelines, and requirements for wind resistive devices are developed at the insurance commissioner’s sole discretion.  The purpose of this bill is to make safe rooms eligible for grants under section 431:22-104 by including residential safe rooms within the meaning of section 431:22-104(b) and encourage private development of safe rooms.

     SECTION 2.  Section 431:22-101, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "wind resistive devices" to read as follows:

     ""Wind resistive devices" means devices [and], techniques, and residential safe rooms, as identified and determined in accordance with section 431:22-104(b), that increase a building's or structure's resistance to damage from wind forces. [The term shall also include safe rooms that are defined and built pursuant to design standards of the department of defense's civil defense division that are adopted pursuant to chapter 91.]"

     SECTION 3.  Section 431:22-104, Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  Grants shall be awarded for the installation of the following:

(1)  Uplift restraint ties at roof ridges and roof framing members to wall or beam supports;

(2)  Additional fastening of roof sheathing and roof decking for high wind uplift;

(3)  Impact and pressure resistant exterior opening protective devices; [and]

(4)  Wall to foundation uplift restraint connections strengthening for wood foundation posts on footings[.]; and

(5)  Residential safe rooms.

The description, specifications, guidelines, and requirements for these wind resistive devices shall be further developed and determined by the commissioner in the commissioner's sole discretion.  The commissioner, in the commissioner's sole discretion, may amend, narrow, or expand the definitions, description, specifications, and requirements of the wind resistive devices."

SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________
	BY REQUEST