STAND. COM. REP. NO. 223

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1109

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1109 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the framework of the Hawaii State Disaster Recovery Program as overseen by the State Disaster Recovery Coordinator.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Planning, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and Hawaii State Energy Office. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that disaster recovery is a complex and long-term process that involves a range of activities and many participants. Recovery operations begin shortly after a disaster occurs and can continue for many years. It involves short—term restoration of essential community functions as well as long-term recovery planning and coordination. State, public, and private organizations share in providing for the public's health and safety therefore, it is essential that the response, recovery, and mitigation activities of all parties be fully aligned. This measure will enhance the capacity of the government, relevant agencies, and the community to coordinate their efforts to efficiently recover from the impacts of disasters.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1109, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1109, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

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CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair