Bill Text: HI HB1755 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Bill 1755 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Fire Protection.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-28 - Re-referred to LAB, FIN, referral sheet 7 [HB1755 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-HB1755-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1755
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to fire protection.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the state fire council has a wide range of responsibilities, from reviewing and maintaining the state fire code to coordinating the collection of fire data to supporting contingency planning for firefighters. The state fire council is responsible for establishing statewide qualifications for testing, certifying and credentialing the individuals who maintain and test portable fire extinguishers, fire protection systems, and fire alarms. The council advises the governor and the legislature and conducts public outreach and education campaigns on matters relating to fire prevention, protection, and safety. The council also oversees the reduced ignition propensity cigarette program and administers the reduced ignition propensity cigarette program special fund.

The legislature recognizes that, until 2001, the state fire council received no funding for staff personnel to fulfill its extensive responsibilities. Instead, county employees were required to perform these duties without any additional pay. In 2001, the governor directed the department of labor and industrial relations to allocate $35,000 to fund one part-time employee for the state fire council. In 2011, the legislature appropriated an additional $71,000 for two paid positions.

The legislature finds that additional paid personnel would allow the state fire council to expand programs that benefit vulnerable and at-risk individuals. Statewide education and outreach programs could promote the protection of life, property, and the environment. The state fire council could expand existing programs that have proven very successful, including its firefighter safety guide program for the State's youth and the residential smoke alarm installation program for at-risk seniors.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to authorize the state fire council to administer and expend funds from the reduced ignition propensity cigarette program special fund to support statewide fire prevention and safety programs.

SECTION 2. Section 132C-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§132C‑9[]] Reduced ignition propensity cigarette program special fund. (a) There is established in the state treasury a reduced ignition propensity cigarette program special fund, into which shall be deposited all moneys collected by the state fire council from the reduced ignition propensity cigarette program pursuant to section 132C-4. All interest earned or accrued on moneys deposited in the fund shall become part of the fund.

(b) Moneys in the reduced ignition propensity cigarette program special fund shall be administered and expended by the state fire council to defray the actual cost of activities and requirements of section 132C-4, including employing one full-time administrator and one full-time assistant whose duties include:

(1) Adopting administrative rules for program implementation, establishing compliance inspections, and approving forms and enforcement procedures and guidelines;

(2) Receiving certifications for approximately six hundred different brands and styles of cigarettes from the manufacturers:

(3) Compiling a list of the cigarette brands and styles for which manufacturers have submitted certifications, verifying tax stamp compliance with the department of the attorney general, and posting the list of certified brands and styles on a state website for informational purposes only;

(4) Reviewing and approving, as needed, any alternative test methods or fire standard compliance markings submitted by the manufacturer; and

(5) If needed, submitting certified cigarettes to an accredited laboratory for testing to verify that performance standards have been met.

(c) Moneys in the reduced ignition propensity cigarette program special fund may also be administered and expended by the state fire council to defray the costs, including the costs of employing administrative personnel, of statewide fire prevention, education, safety, and preparedness programs, especially as they relate to youth, seniors, and persons with disabilities."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________
	By Request

Report Title:

State Fire Council Package; Reduced Ignition Propensity Cigarette Program Special Fund

Description:

Authorizes the State Fire Council to administer and expend funds from the reduced ignition propensity cigarette program special fund to support statewide fire prevention and safety programs.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.