STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2064

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2628

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2628 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a task force to consider long-term funding for the State Building Code Council and to appropriate funds to the Council for administrative staff and rulemaking expenses.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services, State Building Code Council, Subcontractors Association of Hawaii, American Institute of Architects, and American Council of Engineering Companies of Hawaii.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Building Industry Association – Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that the State Building Code Council was created to review and adopt the latest editions of nationally recognized building codes and standards for the State of Hawaii.  The Council is made up of well qualified experts, but the work of the Council is hindered by the fact that its operating expenses have never been funded by the State.  Your Committee further finds that timely updated building codes are in the public interest, and that providing support to the Council would further that interest.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2628 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

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CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair