HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

43

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE Prepared Emergency Response Commission TO STUDY EXPEDITED LICENSING OR LICENSING EXEMPTIONS FOR CONTRACTORS AND TRADESMEN in the event of a natural disaster.

 

WHEREAS, the devastating effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita have elevated the State of Hawaii’s concerns over disaster preparedness; and

WHEREAS, the efforts to reconstruct and repair damaged homes and businesses following a natural disaster are critical to the re-establishment of normalcy in our community; and

WHEREAS, the gulf hurricanes have shown that there may not be sufficient numbers of licensed contractors and tradesmen following a natural disaster; and

WHEREAS, it is important that the State address the possibility that there may not be enough licensed tradesmen and contractors to meet the needs of Hawaii’s residents in the event of a natural disaster; and

WHEREAS, it is important that the problems which occurred after Hurricanes Iwa and Iniki must not recur; and

WHEREAS, the State should have in place specific criteria for expedited licensing and licensing exemptions for contractors and tradesmen; and

WHEREAS, the State does not currently have such criteria established by statute or rule; and

WHEREAS, statutory amendments to implement such criteria are necessary; and

WHEREAS, the emergency licensing of such professionals requires discussion; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that the Prepared Emergency Response Commission (Response Commission), or in the absence of the Response Commission, a task force established by the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, is requested to study the supply of contractors and tradesmen available in times of natural disaster, and to study the advisability and feasibility in the event of a natural disaster in Hawaii of:

(1) Expedited licensure, temporary licensure, or special circumstances licensure of contractors and tradesmen; and

(2) Exemption from licensure of contractors and tradesmen;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in the absence of the Response Commission, the Director's task force be composed of 12 members, as follows:

(1) The Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, or designee, to serve as chair; and

(2) The Executive Officer of the State Contractors License Board;

(3) The Executive Officer of the Board of Electricians and Plumbers;

(4) The Executive Officer of the Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board;

(5) One representative of an insurer that writes at least 20 percent of the Hawaii homeowners insurance market, to be selected by the Insurance Commissioner;

(6) The Complaints and Enforcement Officer of the Regulated Industries Complaints Office, or designee;

(7) The Division Administrator of the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, or designee;

(8) One representative of the Subcontractors Association of Hawaii;

(9) One representative of the Building Industry Association of Hawaii;

(10) One representative of the General Contractors Association of Hawaii;

(11) One representative of the Associated Builders and Contractors; and

(12) One representative of the Hawaii Association of REALTORS®;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force members serve without compensation and without reimbursement for expenses; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Response Commission, or in the absence of the Response Commission, the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, is requested to submit a report of findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2007; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Chair of the Prepared Emergency Response Commission, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Executive Officer of the State Contractors License Board, Executive Officer of the Board of Electricians and Plumbers, Insurance Commissioner, Executive Officer of the Elevator Mechanics Licensing Board, Complaints and Enforcement Officer of the Regulated Industries Complaints Office, Division Administrator of the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Subcontractors Association of Hawaii, Building Industry Association of Hawaii, General Contractors Association of Hawaii, Associated Builder and Contractors, and Hawaii Association of REALTORS®.

Report Title:

Task Force; Supply of Contractors/Tradesmen; Natural Disaster