STAND. COM. REP. NO.  447

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2021

 

RE:   H.B. No. 208

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 208 entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to require sellers of buildings or structures that are wholly or partially occupied for residential purposes to equip the buildings or structures with approved smoke alarms in accordance with existing state or county building or residential codes.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Fire Council and Honolulu Fire Department.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Association of REALTORS.

 

     Your Committee finds that according to the 1994 Uniform Building Code adopted by Hawaii, residents are required to install smoke detectors in all new and renovated dwelling units.  Your Committee further finds that smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries.  The smoke alarm requirement proposed by this measure will provide a reasonable degree of safety to occupants.


     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 208, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 208, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Housing,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

NADINE K. NAKAMURA, Chair