STAND. COM. REP. NO.  627-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2376

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2376 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE FIRE COUNCIL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to reduce the danger of wildfires throughout the state by requiring the State Fire Council to develop a comprehensive statewide brushfire mitigation plan, including:

(1)  Identifying private and public methods of brushfire reduction;

(2)  Developing a program to educate the public on brushfire prevention and safety; and

(3)  Exploring additional resources to prevent brushfires and mitigate the effects of brushfires when they occur.

     This bill also appropriates $400,000 for public education on brushfire prevention and safety.

     The Department of Land and Natural Resources and a concerned individual supported the intent of this bill.  The State Fire Council provided comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2376 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs,

____________________________

CINDY EVANS, Chair