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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, <br /> RELATIONS, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT <br /> DATE: April 6, 2021 Re: Comm. No. 178/Res. No. 75-21 <br /> PLACE: Council Chambers <br /> Hilo, Hawaii <br /> TIME: 10:31 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Governmental Operations, Relations, and Economic Development, which <br /> was referred Resolution No. 75-21, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution No. 75-21, introduced by Committee Member Matt Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder, urges the <br /> County of Hawaii through its Department of Finance to conduct a study to address the lack of <br /> available and affordable property insurance for residents of Lava Zones 1 and 2. <br /> Council Member Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder introduced the resolution by summarizing a letter from a <br /> local insurance agent stating that home owners in Lava Zones 1 and 2 in Puna, 96778 zip code, <br /> are having difficulty finding insurance carriers to offer them policies and the one State funded <br /> program that does offer policies has rates that are at an "all-time high." Mr. Kaneali`i-Kleinfelder <br /> also emphasized that it is the county's responsibility to look into options for its residents as a <br /> matter of"good social policy." <br /> Director of Finance Deanna Sako was present and stated that she thought there were some <br /> conflicts in the County Code as to whether the County should be acting in the proposed capacity <br /> and said that the State of Hawaii has an Insurance Commissioner who seems to be the <br /> government official best suited to address this issue. In addition, she noted that she has asked <br /> Corporation Counsel for an opinion regarding the County's potential risk in becoming a captive <br /> insurance agency for its residents and is awaiting their input. <br /> Several council members acknowledged the difficulties County residents have in obtaining <br /> affordable home insurance and made statements supporting the idea of an amendment to <br /> Resolution 75-21 asking the State to address this issue. It was also noted that the County of <br /> Hawai`i's Department of Finance has an enormous task dealing with the County budget and <br /> issues relating to Federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding and potential infrastructure <br /> program funding and may not have the capacity to take on a study such as this at this time. <br /> The vote was taken on the motion to move this measure to Council with a favorable <br /> recommendation and passed unanimously with eight"ayes." <br /> GOREDC Report No.: 11 <br />