STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3283

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2365

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2365, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the State Fire Council to establish statewide protocols for fire safety.

     Specifically, the measure requires the State Fire Council to:

     (1)  Establish statewide qualifications and procedures for testing, certifying, and credentialing individuals who conduct maintenance testing on 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.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Fire Council.

     Your Committee finds that fire extinguishers, fire protection systems, and alarm systems require routine maintenance to protect building occupants under emergency conditions and to ensure reliable operability when utilized by fire department personnel.  Your Committee believes that this measure will help ensure that individuals who conduct this routine maintenance meet nationally recognized minimum competency standards.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date from upon approval to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

     (2)  Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2365, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2365, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair