STAND. COM. REP. NO. 46

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1645

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1645 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE BUILDING CODE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require the State Building Code Council to adopt standards to allow the use of bamboo as an accepted construction material under the state building code.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from True Offsets, American Bamboo Society, Bamboo Village Hawai‘i, Whispering Winds Bamboo, Land and Water Planning and Consulting, Friendly Aquaponics, Cassel Design Studio, Bamboo Nursery, and six individuals.  Testimony in opposition was received from the Structural Engineers Association of Hawai‘i. 

     Your Committee finds that bamboo forms a very hard wood which is both lightweight and exceptionally durable. In tropical climates it is used in elements of house construction, construction scaffolding, as a substitute for steel reinforcing rods in concrete construction, and other uses. Modern companies are also attempting to popularize flooring made of bamboo pieces steamed, flattened, glued together, finished, and cut.  Bamboo is thought to be an ecologically friendly construction material.  Bamboo houses can be constructed that are earthquake and hurricane resistant, that are certified by the Insurance Services Office (ISO).

     Your Committee believes the State Building Council should also investigate and implement standards for a rural building code for the State that allows for agricultural, temporary, and experimental living structures utilizing bamboo.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1645 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

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

____________________________

J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair