THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	632
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the state fire council.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the state fire council is comprised of the four county fire chiefs and is administratively attached to the department of labor and industrial relations.  The state fire council is responsible for adopting a state fire code, administering the requirements for a reduced ignition propensity cigarette program, and applying and administering federal grant assistance for fire-related projects.  The state fire council may also establish qualifications for testing and certifying individuals who perform maintenance and testing of portable fire extinguishers, fire protection and fire alarm systems, and private fire hydrants.  The state fire council is also authorized to appoint advisory committees to coordinate statewide training, data collection, contingency planning needs for firefighters, and advise the governor and legislature with respect to fire protection and life safety.  Currently, the state fire council's budget is funded by the department of land and industrial relations and is not sufficient to employ a full-time administrator and an administrative assistant.  Instead, the state fire council has utilized the funds in a memorandum of agreement with the Honolulu fire department to employ part-time staff to assist with the state fire council's responsibilities.

     The purpose of this Act is to allow the state fire council to employ support staff personnel and clarify that office equipment and supplies for the council are an authorized use of the budget received from the department of labor and industrial relations.

     SECTION 2.  Section 132-18, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§132‑18[]]  Administrative staffing for the state fire council.  (a)  The state fire council may employ [on a full-time basis] an administrator [and], administrative assistant, or other staff personnel, without regard to chapters 76 and 89.  The administrator shall administer the affairs of the state fire council at the direction of the council.  The state fire council shall determine the compensation for the administrator [and the], administrative assistant[.], and other staff personnel.

     (b)  The administrator [and], administrative assistant, and other staff personnel shall assist the state fire council in carrying out the duties of the council under section 132-16, including:

     (1)  Administration of the daily operations of the state fire council;

     (2)  Administration of the adoption process of the state fire code by the counties;

     (3)  Submission of applications for and expending of federal grants and assistance for fire-related projects;

     (4)  Administration of the reduced ignition propensity cigarette program;

     (5)  Coordination of the statewide fire and life safety training, education, and data collection programs; and

     (6)  Implementation of other related duties as directed by the state fire council.

     (c)  The budgetary requirements for conducting meetings and other related functions of the state fire council, including office equipment and supplies and the salaries of the administrator [and], administrative assistant, and other staff personnel, shall be included in the budget of the department of labor and industrial relations."

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

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

State Fire Council; Office Personnel and Supplies

 

Description:

Allows the state fire council to employ support staff personnel and clarifies that office equipment and supplies for the council are an authorized use of the budget received from the department of labor and industrial relations.

 

 

 

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