STAND. COM. REP. NO. 564

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 148

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 S.B. No. 148 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to specify the allowable fire protections systems certifications that an individual may obtain to more closely align the state fire code with nationally recognized standards.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Fire Council, Honolulu Fire Department, Kaua‘i Fire Department, Hawai‘i Fire Department, and Maui Fire Department.

Your Committee finds that fire extinguishers and fire protection and fire alarm systems require routine maintenance to ensure reliable operability when used by fire department personnel and to protect building occupants during emergency situations. Individuals that conduct maintenance testing for these fire safety systems must be licensed under the testing, certifying, and credentialing requirements established by the State Fire Council. This measure further specifies additional distinct fire protection system licenses that individuals are required to obtain for performing maintenance and testing of fire safety systems.

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. 148 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health.

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