STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2734

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3076

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 3076 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE BUILDING CODE COUNCIL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to establish the position of program director for the State Building Code Council and a staff member to provide employment training, materials, supplies, and all other costs associated with the Council's duties.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, State Fire Council, Honolulu Fire Department, Hawai‘i Fire Department, Kaua‘i Fire Department, Maui Fire Department, Department of Public Works of the County of Hawai‘i, Blue Planet Foundation and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the State Building Code Council is responsible for adopting, amending, and updating the state building codes and standards. In addition, the State Building Code Council is tasked with responding to code inquiries, submitting legislative testimony, and preparing and finalizing meeting agendas and minutes. Your Committee further finds that the State Building Code Council is comprised of eight members. However, since its inception, the State Building Code Council has struggled with limited funding and insufficient support staff, as members of the State Building Code Council serve on a voluntary basis. Your Committee believes that with the appropriate amount of funding and personnel as provided by this measure, the State Building Code Council can better update and adopt commercial and residential codes and carry out all of its mandated responsibilities.

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. 3076 and recommends that it pass Second Reading 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