STAND. COM. REP. NO.  352

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 1418

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1418 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LAND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to address and resolve the concerns raised by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to ensure that Hawaii's communities are not suspended from participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) by amending the county exemptions from building permit and building code requirements to ensure compliance with NFIP requirements.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Department of Planning and Permitting of the City and County of Honolulu, Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawaii, Hawaii Association of Realtors, Mortgage Bankers Association, Ponoholo Ranch Limited, Hawaii Bankers Association, Hawaii Credit Union League, Hawaii Independent Insurance Agents Association, Hawaii Financial Services Association, American Public Works Association Hawaii Chapter, American Council of Engineering Companies, and several individuals testified in support of this measure.  Hawaii Insurers Council testified in opposition to this measure.  The Department of Agriculture, Hawaii Farm Bureau, and Hawaii Aquaculture and Aquaponics Association commented on this measure.

     Your Committee notes the concerns raised by FEMA in its April 15, 2016 letter addressed to the Governor regarding the potential suspension of Hawaii's communities from the NFIP.  Your Committee finds that this measure satisfies these concerns.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1418 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair