STAND. COM. REP. NO.  541

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 637

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 637, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to expedite the review, update, and adoption of the Uniform Plumbing Code, through amendments to the Hawaii State Building Codes.

The Hawaii Fresh Water Initiative and Hawaii Green Growth testified in support of this measure.  The Building Industry Association of Hawaii and General Contractors Association of Hawaii testified in opposition to this measure.  The State Fire Council and Kauai Fire Department provided comments.

     Your Committee notes that testimony provided on this measure indicated that the State Building Code Council does not have sufficient staff, receives little to no funding, and meets infrequently, which makes it difficult for the Council to review and adopt any Uniform Plumbing Code provisions.  Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an appropriation for the Council to carry out its duties, including the hiring of necessary staff.

     Technical, nonsubstantive amendments were also made for clarity, consistency, and style.

     Should your Committee on Finance deliberate this measure further, your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce respectfully requests that it consider appropriating $500,000 for the State Building Code Council to carry out its functions.

     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. 637, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 637, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair