STAND. COM. REP. NO.  729-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 1633

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1633, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the State Building Code Council by, among other things:

     (1)  Modifying the composition, quorum requirement, staffing requirements, and duties of the State Building Code Council;

     (2)  Amending the Hawaii State Building Code, including clarifying terminology, amending code requirements and adoption processes, and providing for staggering of code adoptions;

     (3)  Requiring the State Building Code Council to submit an annual written report to the Governor on its activities, including the codes and standards it establishes;

     (4)  Prohibiting the State Building Code Council from adopting provisions in the Hawaii State Building Codes that conflict with laws governing contractors; and

     (5)  Appropriating unspecified funds to the Department of Accounting and General Services for the State Building Code Council's operations and performance of duties.  

The American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Hawaii Laborers' Union, Structural Engineers Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust, Building Industry Association-Hawaii, American Institute of Architects, and General Contractors Association of Hawaii testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Accounting and General Services, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism commented on this measure.  

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1633, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair