STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 142-22
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2022
RE: H.B. No. 1976
H.D. 1
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-First State Legislature
Regular Session of 2022
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness, to which was referred H.B. No. 1976 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Establish the Safe Home Program to provide matching and nonmatching grants for the installation of wind resistive devices;
(2) Create a permanent position within the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; and
(3) Appropriate funds for Safe Home Program.
Your Committee finds that Hawaii is susceptible to property loss resulting from hurricanes, tropical storms, and strong winds. The best long-term solution to reducing potential damage is to strengthen residential homes through the installation of wind resistive devices. However, the costs associated with inspection, repair, and reinforcement of residences that would make homes more hurricane resistant may discourage homeowners from making the investment. Your Committee believes it is in the interests of public health, safety, and welfare to establish a program to provide grants to certain property owners for the installation of wind resistive devices.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Authorizing the Insurance Commissioner to adopt interim rules that are exempt from chapters 91 and 201M, Hawaii Revised Statutes, until official rules are adopted; provided that the Insurance Commissioner holds at least one public hearing and gives thirty day notice of the public hearing;
(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1976, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1976, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness,
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____________________________ LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair |