STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2052

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 448

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 448 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to repeal certain laws prohibiting counties from adopting residential fire sprinkler codes.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Fire Council, Honolulu Fire Department, Maui Fire Department, and Hawai‘i Fire Department. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Building Industry Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Council of Community Associations, and Complete Construction Services Corporation.

Your Committee finds that automatic fire sprinkler systems have proven to be effective in saving lives and property from fire. Death rates and property loss are substantially reduced when these systems are installed and properly maintained. However, section 46-19.8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and Act 53, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017, prevent counties from adopting residential fire sprinkler codes. Your Committee believes that the State should not forbid counties from enacting fire safety requirements that could ultimately save lives. This measure will allow counties to regulate the installation of residential fire protection sprinkler systems.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 30, 2075, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 448, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 448, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair