STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2557

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2425

       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 Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 2425 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ARSON,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to specify the firefighting costs that a defendant convicted of arson causing damage to ten thousand square feet or more of property may be required to reimburse.

     Specifically, this measure specifies the costs associated with extinguishing a fire that a defendant convicted of arson may be required to reimburse to include:

(1)  Personnel salary, benefits, and overtime;

(2)  The operation, maintenance, and repair of apparatus, aircraft, and equipment;

(3)  Supplies expended, damaged, or lost; and

(4)  Meals and rehabilitation supplies during firefighting operations.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu, the respective Fire Chiefs of the City and County of Honolulu and the counties of Maui and Hawaii, and Legislative Information Services of Hawaii.

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this measure to delete reimbursement for the cost of meals for firefighters during firefighting operations.

     Your Committee finds that this measure is just, will reduce the financial burden incurred by the counties for firefighting expenses, and serve as a deterrent to those who would commit arson.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2425, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2425, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair