STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2718

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2979

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Government Operations and Labor and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 2979 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LAHAINA WILDFIRE RECOVERY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Lahaina Recovery Oversight Commission within the Department of Accounting and General Services to oversee and guide the recovery of Lahaina from the August 2023 Maui wildfires;

(2) Require the Office of Enterprise Technology Services to assist in establishing a website for the Commission;

(3) Require annual reports; and

(4) Make an appropriation.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Office of the Governor and Department of Accounting and General Services.

Your Committees find that the August 2023 Maui wildfires resulted in loss of life, homes, property, infrastructure, businesses, and natural and cultural resources. As the State seeks to rebuild Lahaina, input from key stakeholders is necessary to ensure Lahaina's residents and businessowners can return and thrive in their home community. Additionally, coordinated efforts between governmental agencies is imperative to ensure a timely, careful recovery of Lahaina. This measure establishes the Lahaina Recovery Oversight Commission to provide the rebuilding and revitalization of Lahaina with effective leadership and guidance.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Adding the following members to the Lahaina Recovery Oversight Commission:

(A) A Senator who represents the district that includes Lahaina;

(B) A Representative of the House of Representatives who represents the district that includes Lahaina; and

(C) The State Disaster Recovery Coordinator;

(2) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2112, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Government Operations and Labor and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2979, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2979, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Government Operations and Labor and Technology,

________________________________ HENRY J.C. AQUINO, Chair

________________________________ ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair