Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 1835 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds to modernize the state civil defense siren warning system.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Department of Defense.

In 2002, the state civil defense initiated a 15-year modernization program to add sirens in coverage gap areas and to replace older siren systems. The current requirement for 151 siren systems in coverage gap areas is estimated to cost $9.2 million. Upgrading 131 older sirens is estimated at $8 million.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1835 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.