STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2620

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2136

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2136 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the sellers of residential real property to provide smoke alarms in the building.

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

Your Committees find that smoke alarms are vital in reducing deaths and injury caused by fire and are an essential part of any home escape plan during a fire. The current building code requires new or renovated homes to have smoke alarms in and outside of every bedroom and on every level. Your Committees further find that current smoke alarms are more technologically advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions and come with ten-year batteries. This measure will ensure the safety of residents by requiring sellers of residential real property to provide smoke alarms in the dwelling.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2136 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

________________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

________________________________ CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair