STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2400

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 3061

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. 3061 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Authorize the Director of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to assemble civilian community teams to assist communities during emergencies and disasters; and

     (2)  Appropriate funds to support the civilian community teams program and hire a coordinator to help establish, train, and assist the teams.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Department of Defense, State Fire Council, and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the Federal Emergency Management Agency and emergency management organizations nationwide have moved toward the whole community approach of disaster response.  This approach involves collaboration among government, military, commercial, and community organizations, including volunteers from the community.  In the event of a natural disaster or other civic emergency, first responders and government agencies may be taxed to their limits.  Your Committee finds that establishing trained civilian teams is a proactive measure to help communities receive the training and resource they need to help themselves during such disasters and emergencies.

     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. 3061 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,

________________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair