Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1387 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to enhance public safety by appropriating an unspecified amount to establish eight additional positions to assist state civil defense in reorganizing its operations and reconstituting a 24-hour, year-round emergency operating center.

The Oahu Civil Defense Agency, Honolulu Police Department, Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaii Electric Light Company, and Maui Electric Company testified in support of this bill. The state Department of Defense supported the intent of the measure.

Your Committee finds that a 24-hour, year-round emergency operating center would provide the capability to ensure that information and warnings can be processed and disseminated to the public in a timely manner to prepare it for the effects of natural and man-made hazards, including acts of terrorism.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1387 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.