STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1445-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.C.R. No. 3

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water & Land and Housing, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 3 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING EACH COUNTY TO ESTABLISH AN EMERGENCY ZONING CODE FOR POST-DISASTER USE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge each of the counties of the State to establish an emergency zoning code that would allow for the siting of temporary shelters to be used immediately following a disaster.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.

Your Committees find that the August 2023 Maui wildfires reportedly damaged 3,631 properties, a majority of which were rental housing and housing for low-income families. Numerous private individuals have set up temporary housing on private land, with much of the temporary housing going on agricultural lands; however, no county has established an emergency zoning code that would allow the siting of temporary shelters, such as trailers, recreational vehicles, and prefabricated housing. Your Committees recognize that disasters can occur anywhere and at any time and believe that the establishment of emergency zoning codes for the siting of temporary shelters for use immediately after a disaster will help address the aftereffects of any future disaster and ensure that residents have a clean and safe place to reside during trying times.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water & Land and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 3 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water & Land and Housing,

____________________________ LUKE A. EVSLIN, Chair

____________________________ LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair