STAND. COM. REP. NO.  846

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 36

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 36, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COUNTIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to assist the counties by:

     (1)  Authorizing state agencies to enter into indemnity agreements with the counties under certain circumstances; and

     (2)  Relieving the counties from civil liability when the counties provide aid, assistance, support, benefits, services, and interests in or rights to use county property to a state agency, except in cases of gross negligence or wanton acts or omissions.

     The Maui County Council testified in support of this bill.  The Mayor of the County of Hawaii, County of Hawaii Department of Parks and Recreation, and County of Kauai supported this measure with amendments.  The Department of the Attorney General and City and County of Honolulu provided 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. 36, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair