STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3405

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 27

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.R. No. 27 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE MEMBERS OF HAWAII'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO EXPAND THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE LAVA INSURANCE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the members of Hawaii's congressional delegation to introduce legislation to expand the National Flood Insurance Program to include lava insurance.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from four individuals.

Your Committees find that as a public insurance program, the goals of the National Flood Insurance Program encompass social goals, which differ from private sector insurance companies, including providing flood insurance in flood-prone areas to property owners who otherwise would not be able to obtain it and reducing the amount of federal expenditures for disaster assistance after floods. Your Committees further find that the residents of Hawaii face insurance coverage challenges from both earthquakes and lava flows similar to challenges faced by people who have property in flood-prone areas. Your Committees conclude that expanding the National Flood Insurance Program to include coverage for lava and earthquake insurance could help address the current property insurance crisis in certain areas in the State and help minimize the economic and social hardships faced by many residents affected by damage caused by earthquakes and lava flows.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language to urge Hawaii's congressional delegation to expand the National Flood Insurance Program to include earthquake insurance;

(2) Updating legislative findings; and

(3) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose.

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 concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 27, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 27, S.D. 1.

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