STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2244

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2908

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 Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2908 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit residential rent increases in affected areas for an unspecified period after a severe storm warning or issuance of an emergency proclamation.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, UNITE HERE Local 5, Lahaina Strong, Hawaii Financial Services, and sixty-six individuals.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from Hawaiʻi Association of REALTORS.

Your Committees find that emergencies, whether caused by severe storms or other unforeseen circumstances, can have devastating impacts on individuals and families, particularly regarding housing. Your Committees further finds that it is crucial to prioritize the welfare of Hawaii residents during severe storm warnings or emergency proclamations. This measure will provide renters and tenants with housing and rent stability during a state of emergency or local state of emergency.

Your Committees have amended this measure by inserting an effective date of January 1, 2042, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Commerce and Consumer Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2908, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2908, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Commerce and Consumer Protection,

________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair