STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3183

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 47

       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 Human Services and Public Housing, to which was referred S.R. No. 47 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING ASSOCIATIONS OF APARTMENT OWNERS AND CONDOMINIUM UNIT OWNERS' ASSOCIATIONS IN THE STATE TO DEVELOP EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION PLANS FOR RESIDENTS, INCLUDING PROVISIONS FOR SENIORS AND RESIDENTS WITH SPECIAL HEALTH NEEDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge associations of apartment and condominium unit owners throughout the State to conduct voluntary surveys of special needs residents and draft plans to address those needs in the event of an emergency.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Disability and Communication Access Board, the Fire Department of the City and County of Honolulu, and the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs.  Comments on the measure were submitted by the Real Estate Commission. 

     Your Committee finds that increased emergency readiness ought to be encouraged to help to ensure the continued safety and well-being of persons with disabilities and special health needs. 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by incorporating comments made by the Real Estate Commission to restrict its notification obligation to associations that are registered with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and through a method that will not exceed its Condominium Education Trust Fund budget.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Public Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 47, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing, in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 47, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services and Public Housing,

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair