STAND. COM. REP. NO. 241

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 358

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred H.B. No. 358 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DISASTER PREPAREDNESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to improve the State's preparedness for stronger hurricanes by requiring all public buildings, including public school buildings, constructed after January 1, 2026, to be designed to withstand category five hurricanes and be used as shelters in the event of an emergency.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency; Hawaiʻi Climate Advisory Team; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education; Department of Accounting and General Services; and Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Your Committee finds that in light of the potential for stronger and more frequent hurricanes caused by climate change, Hawaii a needs greater number of public buildings that can also serve as hurricane shelters. By requiring that all public buildings constructed after January 1, 2026, to be able to withstand category five hurricanes will help ensure that public buildings will be able to protect Hawaii's residents and visitors in case of an emergency.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 358, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 358, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Labor.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair