STAND. COM. REP. NO. 907

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: S.B. No. 1244

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1244 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR NATURAL DISASTERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow the Governor, in a declared emergency, to release up to ten per cent of the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund to assist victims of a natural disaster.

Your Committee finds that during a time of emergency, especially a natural disaster, time is of the essence. The longer it takes emergency relief to reach those in need, the greater the damage and cost to address that damage. This bill provides the State with the ability to contain disaster costs that could otherwise result in devastating property losses to residents and businesses.

Your Committee has amended the bill by making technical amendments that have no substantive effect. The bill appropriates an unspecified amount of funds.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1244, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1244, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair