STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1674

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 28

S.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 Education, to which was referred S.R. No. 28 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CREATE A PRIORITY LIST FOR REPAIRING PUBLIC SCHOOL FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Education to create a priority list for repairing public school fire alarm systems.

Your Committee did not receive any testimony on this measure.

Your Committee finds that properly functioning fire alarm systems are essential for public school safety. Accordingly, the National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code requires schools to have functioning fire alarm systems. Your Committee notes that twenty percent of Hawaii's two hundred fifty-seven public schools are more than one hundred years old, and at greater risk for severe fire damage. On certain campuses, such as King Intermediate School on Oahu and Konawaena Elementary School on Hawaii Island, fire alarm systems were out of service for several years, posing a significant risk to students, faculty, and staff in the event of a fire. As properly functioning fire alarms can be the difference between life and death, this measure addresses safety concerns at public schools to ensure the safety of occupants and prevent significant structural damage.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Urging the Department of Education to also consider acceptable alternatives to school fire alarm systems; and

(2) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 28, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 28, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

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MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair