STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1700-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.C.R. No. 46

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Labor, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 46 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING OPEN WATER LIFEGUARD AS FIRST RESPONDERS IN THE STATE OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to recognize open water lifeguards as first responders in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Honolulu Ocean Safety Department; Hawaii Fire Department Ocean Safety Bureau; Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation; North Shore Chamber of Commerce; Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition; Hawaiian Lifeguard Association; Rescue Tube Foundation; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; Hawaiʻi Search and Rescue Alliance; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that open water lifeguards perform critical public safety functions by responding to emergencies in hazardous and unpredictable ocean and shoreline environments, often placing themselves at significant risk. Open water lifeguards are frequently among the first to arrive at emergency scenes, are extensively trained in lifesaving and emergency medical response, and routinely operate alongside police officers and firefighters to protect life and property. Your Committee believes that formally recognizing open water lifeguards as first responders affirms their role within the emergency response system and supports consistent access to the protections, resources, and professional recognition necessary to enhance public safety statewide.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending its title; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 46, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Public Safety in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 46, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor,

____________________________

JACKSON D. SAYAMA, Chair