SB989

Report Title:

Civil Defense; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds for civil defense positions, additional sirens, and retrofit hardening of public buildings.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	989
TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR CIVIL DEFENSE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The state civil defense system (SCD) operates on a normal forty-hour week. The SCD has developed two crisis action teams to respond to disasters and emergencies. The teams are activated when the need arises. Presently, the SCD does not operate on an around-the-clock basis.

Hawaii has developed a robust and responsive siren warning system. However, gaps still exist and sirens require continuous and costly maintenance.

The legislature finds that there is a lack of adequate emergency shelters throughout the State, and the State's major disaster fund should be re-evaluated in view of the low funding level and allocation level that are insufficient to meet the needs of the State in declared disasters.

The legislature further finds:

(1) Tsunamis and terrorist events will occur with little or no warning. The absence of 24/7 operations impairs the rapid execution of required actions to protect people and property;

(2) Sirens are the first line of warning and the complete coverage of the State is essential to ensure the public safety. Ten per cent of the sirens may be inoperable at any given time due to mechanical malfunction;

(3) Funding to retrofit public school buildings or to harden new State structures is virtually non-existent; and

(4) Current appropriations to the major disaster fund is dangerously insufficient to protect the public safety and welfare.

The purpose of this Act is to make appropriations to enhance the civil defense functions and programs.

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 2005-2006, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for six positions to implement around-the-clock operations of the state civil defense. The additional personnel shall function as alert officers to monitor state, national, and international events as well as perform analyses.

SECTION 3. 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 2005-2006, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for additional sirens to cover the gap areas and for annual operations and maintenance repair costs.

SECTION 4. 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, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, to harden public building through retrofitting; provided that the State may use this money to obtain federal matching funds.

SECTION 5. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of defense for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________