STAND. COM. REP. NO.  496

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   H.B. No. 990

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred H.B. No. 990 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DISASTER PREPAREDNESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to improve planning and coordination for disaster preparedness efforts in Hawaii by establishing the Office of Disaster Preparedness and a Disaster Preparedness Commission to develop a comprehensive disaster preparedness plan that includes identification of natural hazards, designation of natural hazard impact zones, measures to mitigate the problems caused by natural hazards, and plans for best responses to disasters.

     Hawaii Association of REALTORS, Hawaii Lumber Products Association, State Farm Insurance Companies, and Hawaii Business League supported this bill.  Hawaii Insurers Council supported the intent of this bill.  The Department of Defense opposed this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 990 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety,

____________________________

FAYE HANOHANO, Chair