STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3361

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 169

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.R. No. 169 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING STATE DEPARTMENTS TO REQUIRE HOUSEHOLDS IMPACTED BY THE LAHAINA FIRES TO EXHAUST THEIR INSURANCE POLICIES BEFORE REQUESTING FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge state departments to require households impacted by the Lahaina fires to exhaust their insurance policies before requesting financial support from the State.

Your Committee received no testimony on this measure.

Your Committee finds that the recent August 2023 Maui wildfires have caused significant devastation to Lahaina and communities in Hawaii, leaving many individuals and families in need of assistance. Your Committee further finds that many households impacted by the wildfires may have insurance policies that could provide financial assistance to cover damages and losses incurred during the wildfires, including temporary housing assistance. Your Committee concludes that it is necessary to allow the State to prioritize its limited resources to those most in need by urging state departments to require households impacted by the August 2023 Maui wildfires to exhaust their insurance policies before requesting financial support from the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 169 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair