Creates the temporary Oahu North Shore loss mitigation grant program for homeowners to upgrade homes to protect them from natural disasters. Makes appropriation.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that residents of Haleiwa and Waialua on Oahu are threatened by upper watershed intense rains, uncontrolled runoff, and dilapidated water management structures, including the Lake Wilson dam. A flood warning system helped to alert residents to evacuate in the heavy rains of October 2005, but their homes are still at risk.

During 2005, North Shore residents, businesses, government agencies, and elected officials convened community symposiums to address the problem of property damage caused by major disaster. The collaboration of interested parties found that Haleiwa and Waialua communities require immediate, targeted assistance to protect their homes from imminent torrential rains, surface flooding, and high winds that threaten outdated structures.

The purpose of this Act is to create an Oahu north shore homeowner loss mitigation program and to make an appropriation therefor.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established the Oahu north shore homeowner loss mitigation program to compensate homeowners residing in the communities of Haleiwa and Waialua districts for the costs of modifying their residences to resist hurricane and flood damage as provided in subsection (e). The program shall be administered by the state civil defense division, which shall provide procedures and application forms and make the homeowner compensation.

(b) The amount of compensation under subsection (a) shall be not more than $          , per homeowner, to be matched dollar for dollar by the homeowner; provided that no homeowner shall receive compensation under this section more than once per residence.

(c) Unexpended or unencumbered appropriations to the Oahu north shore homeowner loss mitigation program shall not lapse into the general fund at the end of the fiscal year in which the appropriation is made, but shall lapse on June 30, 2009.

(d) No later than forty-five days following the close of fiscal years 2006-2007, 2007-2008, and 2008-2009, the state civil defense division shall report to the governor and the legislature on the expenditures from the fund, the names and addresses of the recipients of compensation, the nature of the improvements made to each home, and the balance of the unencumbered and unexpended moneys in the appropriation at the end of the fiscal year in which the appropriation was made.

(e) The following home improvements shall qualify for compensation under this Act:

(1) Elevation of house foundations;

(2) Construction of first-floor breakaways;

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the Oahu north shore homeowner loss mitigation program.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the state department of defense for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006 and shall be repealed on June 30, 2009.