STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3129

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                   

 

RE:     H.B. No. 2238

        H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Education and Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2238, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

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

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Require the Department of Education to establish a safe keiki grant program to encourage public schools to prepare for emergencies; and

 

     (2)  Appropriate funds for grants to public schools to purchase water, nonperishable foods, and other supplies necessary for students to remain at school shelters for forty-eight hours in the event of an emergency.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and three individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from one individual.

 

     Your Committees find that because of Hawaii's geographic location in the Pacific, it is important for the State and its residents to make preparations in the event of an emergency.  In such events, it is critical to have procedures in place and, if necessary, supplies available prior to the event because there often is not enough time during the emergency to establish procedures and gather supplies.  Since timeliness is essential in emergency events, ensuring that schools have established emergency procedures and that students have access to adequate shelter and subsistence during a disaster is essential to public safety and welfare.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Education and Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2238, H.D. 1, 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 Education and Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs,

 

________________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair

 

________________________________

MICHELLE N. KIDANI, Chair