STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1114-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   S.B. No. 2783

      S.D. 2

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 S.B. No. 2783, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LOSS MITIGATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to provide incentives for homeowners to protect against the devastation of natural disasters by, among other things:

(1)  Including earthquake resistive devices in the State Loss Mitigation Grant Program (Program);

(2)  Requiring the Insurance Commissioner to develop criteria for earthquake resistive devices;

(3)  Requiring the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) to develop a loss mitigation public awareness campaign;

(4)  Appropriating funds for a testing facility to test safe room designs and other wind resistant devices;

(5)  Extending the Program for three years; and

(6)  Authorizing the Insurance Commissioner to determine standards for earthquake and wind resistive installation procedures and engineering content.

     The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Hawaii Lumber Products Association, Structural Engineering Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Security Shutters, Inc., Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc., and a concerned individual supported this bill.  DCCA and Hawaii Association of Realtors opposed this measure.  A concerned individual submitted 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 S.B. No. 2783, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

CINDY EVANS, Chair