STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3291

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2129

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2129 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 authorize the State Fire Council to administer and expend funds from the reduced ignition propensity cigarette program special fund to support statewide fire prevention and safety programs.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Fire Council, County of Kauai, and Maui Fire Department.

Your Committee finds that additional funding and the authorization to expend funds will help the State Fire Council fulfill its mission of supporting a comprehensive fire service emergency management network to protect life, property, and the environment in the State.

Your Committee notes that the State Fire Council and county fire departments have requested an appropriation of $150,000 for fiscal year 2020-2021.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Making an appropriation of an unspecified sum; and

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2129, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2129, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair