STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3593

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 147

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 147, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE INSTALLATION AND USE OF SMOKE DETECTORS IN EVERY HAWAII HOME BY 2010,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to support the installation and maintenance of smoke detectors in every home in Hawaii by 2010.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Honolulu Fire Department and the Kauai Fire Department.

     Your Committee finds that smoke detectors are important devices when properly installed and maintained in reducing deaths and injuries in home fires.  Since the 1970s, research has shown a fifty percent decrease in fire deaths and injuries due to the increase in the use of smoke detectors in homes.

     Your Committee also finds that senior citizens, young children, and persons with disabilities are groups that are at greater risk for fire-related injuries and deaths.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adding language requesting the Hawaii Fire Chiefs Association and State Fire Council to provide free smoke detectors to senior citizens and low income families when funds become available;

     (2)  Providing that a copy of this measure be transmitted to the Mayor of each county, the Chair of each county council, and the President of the Hawaii Fire Chiefs Association;

     (3)  Deleting the language, "free on-site", as it relates to fire safety inspections; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 147, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 147, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair