STAND. COM. REP. NO. 615-22

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 Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1976, H.D. 1, 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 to install wind resistive devices on certain residential properties;

(2) Create a permanent position within the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to implement and administer the Safe Home Program; and

(3) Appropriate funds for the Safe Home Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency, Hawaii Insurers Council, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance and one individual.

Your Committee finds that recent incidents have shown that the State is vulnerable to property loss due to hurricanes, tropical storms, and strong winds. Your Committee further finds that one of the best mitigation strategies for reducing potential damage is the broad statewide use of wind resistive devices on personal residences. The grant program established by this measure will help Hawaii residents be more resilient in the event of a hurricane, reduce the need for emergency sheltering, and provide for more rapid recovery from a weather-related event. More resilient homes will result in lower or fewer insurance claims, which can help eventually reduce insurance premiums for all Hawaii residents.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1976, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair