Provides for reimbursement for travel expenses to National Guard members reporting for drill or exercises. Makes an appropriation for reimbursements. (SD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Chapter 121, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§121-   Reimbursement for travel expenses. (a) Any member of the Hawaii national guard who incurs expenses for air transportation for travel from the member's residence within the State to the member's duty station for drills, exercises, or other official duty, shall be reimbursed for the actual air transportation cost incurred; provided that the member was not offered any other military travel benefit.

(b) The adjutant general shall prepare any forms necessary to claim a reimbursement under this section. The adjutant general may also require the member to furnish reasonable information to ascertain the validity of the claim for reimbursement and may adopt rules, if necessary, to effectuate the purpose of this section pursuant to chapter 91."

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $228,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for reimbursing Hawaii national guard members for air transportation expenses incurred while traveling for drill, exercises, or other official duty.

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of defense for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

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