Authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds and making an appropriation for the plans, design, construction, and equipment of a level III biotechnology laboratory facility for the University of Hawaii. (SD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The University of Hawaii at Manoa has received a grant from the National Institute of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to construct a Level III regional bio-containment laboratory. The grant awards a total of $33,332,737 for construction of the facility with the federal government providing seventy-five per cent of the construction funding. The grant requires a twenty-five per cent match from non-federal sources. The federal share is set at $24,999,553 (the maximum federal contribution) with the non-federal match set at $8,333,184.

The regional bio-containment laboratory is an integral part of the life sciences roadmap prepared by Enterprise Honolulu and is expected to be an essential element to the growth of the life sciences industry in Hawaii. The University of Hawaii expects that the construction of the regional bio-containment laboratory will yield an increase in extramural funding from government and private sources. Additionally, it will supply a robust infrastructure to respond to diseases and infections that pose a serious public health threat. The department of health expects that the construction of the regional bio-containment laboratory adjacent to its BLS2 laboratory facility in Pearl City will provide additional capabilities to protect the public health and safety. The department of business, economic development, and tourism supports the project as a significant infrastructure requirement for the growth of the life sciences industry in Hawaii.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii for the construction of a level III regional bio-containment laboratory facility. The requested sum of $12,500,000 will cover the required state match of $8,333,184. The remaining sum of $4,166,816 will be used to cover the additional cost of constructing the core of the regional bio-containment laboratory facility.

SECTION 2. 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 construction of a level III regional bio-containment laboratory facility.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for fiscal year 2006-2007 for the purpose of building a level III regional bio-containment laboratory facility for the University of Hawaii.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2008, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.