STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2050

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 449

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. 449 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 require sellers of buildings or structures that are wholly or partially occupied for residential purposes to be equipped with working smoke alarms.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Fire Council, Honolulu Fire Department, and Maui Fire Department.

Your Committee finds that smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. In the event of a fire, smoke spreads quickly and smoke alarms maximize occupants' chance of escape. Your Committee believes that requiring residential buildings be sold with installed, functioning smoke detectors benefits public safety. This measure will reduce casualties from residential fire by requiring sellers of residential real property to provide working smoke alarms in the building.

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. 449 and recommends that it pass Second Reading 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