CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 157

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 , 2013

RE:    S.B. No. 680

       S.D. 1

       H.D. 1

       C.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam and Sir:

     Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 680, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOMELAND SECURITY,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

     The purpose of this measure is to establish the operational infrastructure to help ensure the health and safety of the people of Hawaii by:

     (1)  Creating a homeland security law and establishing within the State Department of Defense an Office of Homeland Security to be headed by the Director of Homeland Security, who is the Adjutant General;

     (2)  Specifying actions the Director of Homeland Security is authorized to make, including preparing comprehensive plans and programs for homeland security and defense; developing and maintaining a list of critical infrastructure; fostering coordination on security matters with all nations of the Pacific region to the extent permitted under federal law; and soliciting and managing funds; and

     (3)  Authorizing the establishment of county organizations for homeland security.

     Your Committee on Conference finds that state departments and agencies are currently performing many missions and tasks to combat terrorism and support homeland security requirements without underlying statutory authority.  Your Committee on Conference further finds that this measure will establish an office of homeland security to provide a comprehensive program to protect Hawaii's residents, infrastructure, and government from terrorism and attacks.

     Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2013.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 680, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 680, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Co-Chair	____________________________ WILL ESPERO, Chair
____________________________ K. MARK TAKAI, Co-Chair	____________________________ DAVID Y. IGE, Co-Chair
____________________________ KANIELA ING, Co-Chair