STAND. COM. REP. NO.  661-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 2365

      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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2365 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE FIRE COUNCIL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the State Fire Council to:

     (1)  Establish procedures for statewide qualifications, testing, and certification for individuals who conduct maintenance testing of fire extinguishers, fire protection systems, and fire alarm systems; and

     (2)  Develop, implement, and coordinate a statewide system to promote the effective use of fire and life safety resources.

The Hawaii State Fire Council and the Honolulu Fire Department commented on this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Authorizing the State Fire Council to establish, in conformance with the adopted state fire code and nationally recognized standards, statewide qualifications and procedures, to be administered by county fire departments, for testing, certifying, and credentialing individuals who conduct maintenance testing of fire extinguishers, fire protection systems, and fire alarm systems; and

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

     Your Committee notes that the changes proposed to section 132-16(c)(4), Hawaii Revised Statutes, are not intended to act as a mandate for homeowners to install fire sprinklers in their homes.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2365, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2365, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair