Appropriates funds and authorizes implementation of a new port security system for the Port of Honolulu.

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 in the post 9-11 world, and the security of our waterways and harbors must be kept at the highest levels. Hawaii's harbors and waterways are crucial to the State's support structure and commercial health. The Navy, other branches of the military, commercial operators of imports and exports, cruise line ships, and thousands of registered small watercraft rely heavily on our waterways and use our harbors statewide. The growth of the cruise line industry within the State is expanding and has aided in the recovery of the State's tourist industry-based economy, thus port security and tourist safety is vital.

Currently, the U.S. Coast Guard maintains a base only in the port of Honolulu, although it has discussed basing U.S. Coast Guard stations at other harbors. Therefore, the need for a new, state-of-the-art, electronic Homeland Security system for our harbors, waterways, and ports is imperative. Alii Security Systems Inc., the security contractor for the port of Honolulu, is currently working on the testing and implementation of such a system. This system, the Multi Extension Security Hub (MESH), developed by Alii Security Systems, with its strategic partners Layered Intelligence Corporation and the Homeland Security Department of Drexel University, incorporates proven state-of-the-art technologies developed and utilized by the military in Iraq and Afganistan, the core of which is known as Intelligent Software Agent technology. Alii Security Systems with its strategic partners and the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Command under Admiral Charles Wurster are working together to use the port of Honolulu as a test bed for the system.

Since Hawaii state civil defense and other security resources have been depleted by the deployment of state resources to Iraq, the new system may be implemented to assist with disaster and civil defense management. Hawaii state civil defense has expressed interest in utilizing the new system. The implementation of the new system will serve as a model for systems in other states and create a new, high-technology security industry with the potential to create significant new jobs in Hawaii, by utilizing software incubation facilities in Hilo, including the University of Hawaii, Hilo campus.

The purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation for new state-of-the-art security at the Port of Honolulu.

SECTION 2. The intent of this Act is to enable the department of transportation obtain additional federal funding for homeland security to extend the Multi Extension Security Hub system to all ports in Hawaii.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, for implementing a security system for the port of Honolulu, in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard, the state department of transportation, Hawaii state civil defense, and the police department of the city and county of Honolulu.

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

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.