Requires new public school buildings and residential developments built with state funds to conform to design standards for disaster shelters established by the department of defense. New construction of state funded buildings is prohibited until standards are adopted and published.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that public buildings are likely structures to be designated as emergency shelters in the event of a major disaster. However, the legislature also finds that newly constructed facilities may not necessarily meet the design criteria standards that were recently developed by the state department of defense pursuant to Act 5, Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2005.

The purpose of this Act is to ensure that new facilities meet design standards for public emergency shelters and provide adequate emergency shelter facilities for the future needs of Hawaii's growing population.

SECTION 2. Chapter 103, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§103-   Building design to consider emergency preparedness. (a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, all plans and specifications for the construction of any building using state funds that is contemplated for use as a public emergency shelter shall be prepared to conform to the design standards for public shelters established by the department of defense pursuant to Act 5, Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2005.

Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no construction of new buildings using state moneys as provided in this subsection shall commence until the standards are adopted and published by the department of defense.

(b) The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 for the purposes of this Act."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

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