STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1106

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   S.B. No. 680

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Public Safety and Veterans, Military, & International Affairs, & Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 680, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

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

     (1)  Creates a homeland security law and establishes within the State Department of Defense a State Homeland Security Office to be headed by the Adjutant General;

     (2)  Provides that the Administrator of Homeland Security, who is appointed by the Adjutant General, is exempt from civil service under Chapter 76, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (3)  Specifies the Adjutant General's responsibilities, including preparing comprehensive plans and programs for homeland security and homeland 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

     (4)  Authorizes the establishment of county organizations for homeland security.

The State Adjutant General, State Fire Council, Kauai Fire Department, Honolulu Police Department, County of Hawaii Civil Defense Agency, Hawaii Fire Department, County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety, and two concerned individuals supported this measure.  Two concerned individuals opposed this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to promote further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety and Veterans, Military, & International Affairs, & Culture and the Arts that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 680, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 680, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety and Veterans, Military, & International Affairs, & Culture and the Arts,

____________________________ K. MARK TAKAI, Chair

____________________________ HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair