STAND. COM. REP. NO. 606

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1147

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 1147, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE DISASTER RELIEF,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to clarify that the Governor has the authority to declare a disaster emergency.

This measure also requires State Civil Defense to report information on the disaster to the Governor, Legislature, and the mayor of each county after the Governor has declared a disaster emergency.

Your Committee finds that clarifying the Governor's power to declare a disaster emergency will help to expedite necessary actions to mitigate any damages or losses.  Your Committee further finds that requiring the Vice-Director of Civil Defense to provide certain governmental leaders with preliminary and follow-up reports on the disaster and the effectiveness of the State's response thereto will assist those leaders in assessing any losses from the disaster and also help with preparations for any future disaster emergencies.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1147, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair