STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2250

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3064

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 Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 3064 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FUNDS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to reinstate the Governor's authority to transfer funds to cope with the effects of natural disasters, for operating purposes, or to supplement the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Firefighter's Contingency Fund.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency.

Your Committees find that Act 164, Session Laws of Hawaii 2023, did not contain provisions to provide the Governor with the authority to transfer funds for operating purposes, natural disaster, or the Firefighter's Contingency Fund. It is imperative that the Governor has the ability to respond rapidly to a natural disaster to support continued emergency operations. This measure will ensure community safety, public interest, and effective management by granting power to the Governor to transfer funds in times of emergency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3064 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs and Water and Land,

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair