STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1199

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1036

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1036, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HOMELAND SECURITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to formally establish the Hawaii State Fusion Center as a program under the Office of Homeland Security, to be transferred to the Department of Law Enforcement on January 1, 2024, and delineate its roles and responsibilities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Defense, Department of Human Services, Department of Law Enforcement, Office of Homeland Security, and Retail Merchants of Hawaii. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the Hawaii State Fusion Center functions as the nexus of information and intelligence sharing between federal, state, county, and private-sector partners that collectively work to keep Hawaii and the nation safe. Additionally, the Fusion Center offers critical real-time and strategic intelligence analysis, threat assessments, and targeted violence prevention program management and assists the public safety community in preventing, protecting against, and responding to crime, terrorism, and emerging threats. Your Committee believes that the Fusion Center plays a vital role in the State's homeland security. This measure will bring official state-level recognition to the Fusion Center's value and provide the necessary support to keep the State, residents, and critical infrastructure safe.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1036, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair