STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1382

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 993

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 993, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to improve and enhance the effectiveness of the State's emergency management program through modifications and additions to chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Defense, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and Department of Transportation.

Your Committee finds that, in 2018, the State experienced challenges in sustaining or executing the state emergency management program. Such challenges included the false missile alert notification in January, flooding on Kauai and Oahu in April, unprecedented Kilauea eruptions on Hawaii island in May, and statewide impacts from Tropical Storms Lane and Olivia in August and September, respectively.

Your Committee further finds that as a result of the 2018 challenges, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency has undergone a leadership change and has created a plan to rebuild morale within the organization, public confidence, and strengthen partnerships with public and private sector stakeholders. Multiple areas in chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, have been identified for amendment through this measure to improve and strengthen the State's emergency management program.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Making technical amendments proposed by the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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 H.B. No. 993, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 993, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, 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