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 H.B. No. 556, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make an emergency appropriation of $3,050,000 for fiscal year 2004-2005 from the wireless enhanced 911 fund.

Your Committee finds that Act 159, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004, required a fee of $.66 per month per wireless phone to be paid into the wireless enhanced 911 fund beginning July 1, 2004. However, no appropriation from the fund was made to pay the basic operational costs of the wireless enhanced 911 board, including travel reimbursements for board members, professional services contracts, and reimbursement of public safety answer points and wireless carriers for improvements to wireless 911 service. Accordingly, your Committee determines that an emergency appropriation from the wireless enhanced 911 fund is necessary for the board to meet its statutory obligations.

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 H.B. No. 556, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.