STAND. COM. REP. NO.  945-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 2664

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2664 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DISASTER RELIEF,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to clarify the Governor's emergency powers by:

     (1)  Establishing that certain provisions of the State's disaster relief laws are operative and supersede the provisions of the Civil Defense and Emergency Act (CDEA) when an emergency arises that is not considered a civil defense emergency;

     (2)  Allowing the Governor to exercise powers under CDEA for disasters not caused by an enemy attack, only if tangible and measureable harm or damage has resulted as a consequence of the disaster; and

     (3)  Requiring that any of the Governor's emergency powers in effect prior to the effective date of this measure expire when this measure becomes law, unless reauthorized by the Legislature.

     The Office of the Governor, Department of Defense, Department of Accounting and General Services, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Transportation opposed this bill.  The Attorney General offered comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2664 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair