STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2985

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 2376

       H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2376, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE FIRE COUNCIL,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to reduce the danger of wildfires throughout the State by appropriating funds to the State Fire Council to implement a statewide brushfire mitigation plan.

 

     This measure also appropriates funds to establish four positions to implement a public education program on brushfire prevention and safety.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Defense, the State Fire Council, the Honolulu Fire Department, the Maui Fire and Public Safety Department, and the Kauai Fire Department.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources supported the intent of this measure with additional comments. 

 

     Your Committee finds that large uncontrolled wildfires continue to plague the State, endanger lives and property, tax fire protection resources in our communities, and destroy the environment and irreplaceable plant and wildlife especially in the drier leeward areas. 

 

     Your Committee further finds that a statewide brushfire mitigation plan is needed to address the dangers of these wildfires in light of the current drier conditions affecting certain areas of the State.  The brushfire mitigation plan includes the identification of private and public brushfire mitigation methods, the development of public brushfire prevention and safety programs, the staffing of positions, and the exploration of additional resources to mitigate the occurrence of these brushfires in this State.  

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2376, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair