Appropriates funds to the department of transportation for a project to develop a security system for the port of Honolulu, conditional upon receipt of $8 million in federal funds. (HB89 HD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the security of harbors and waterways in Hawaii is an area of great concern, especially after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The many harbors and waterways of the state are crucial to our islands' well-being and vital to the support structure of the commercial health of the state, the United States Navy, other branches of the military, and commercial importers and exporters. In addition, thousands of small craft make use of our waterways and harbors statewide. Hawaii's cruise ship industry has been revived and has contributed to the state's economic recovery. Thus, the security of Hawaii's ports is crucial to ensure the safety of visitors.

There have been at least three verified incidents of unidentified divers in Honolulu harbor. Currently, the United States Coast Guard maintains only one base in the port of Honolulu. The current security contractor for the port of Honolulu plans to augment harbor security with a state-of-the-art homeland security system integrating the latest sensing technology with the most advanced software. Plans include working with the Coast Guard to test the system. Furthermore, the State can use this system for disaster and civil defense management, especially in light of the depletion of security personnel due to recent deployments to the Middle East. The development and implementation of this system for the port of Honolulu will also result in the creation of a significant number of new jobs for the state.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the department of transportation for a security system for the port of Honolulu, subject to the release of federal funds from the Department of Homeland Security or a similar federal agency.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006 for the department of transportation to customize a harbor security system for the specific requirements of the port of Honolulu, in conjunction with the United States Coast Guard, Hawaii state civil defense, and the respective county police departments; provided that no funds shall be made available under this Act unless the Department of Homeland Security or a similar federal agency provides $8,000,000 for the purpose for which this sum is appropriated.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of transportation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2010.