STAND. COM. REP. NO.  398

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 292

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 292 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DISASTER PREPAREDNESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to improve the emergency preparedness of the State by appropriating funds to:

     (1)  Effectively equip emergency shelters to support special needs populations; and

     (2)  Maintain the development of the Emergency Supply Program.

     The State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Disability and Communication Access Board testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Defense supported the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Inserting appropriations as follows:

          (A)  $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2007-2008 and the same amount for fiscal year 2008-2009 for retrofit projects on public buildings to create additional emergency shelter spaces for residents and pets;

          (B)  $150,000 for fiscal year 2007-2008 and the same sum for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the continued funding of non-declared disaster activation and response;

          (C)  An undetermined amount for continuous alert staffing requirements at the state civil defense emergency operating center; and

          (D)  $1,000,000 for fiscal year 2007-2008 and the same amount for fiscal year 2008-2009 for emergency supply caches to support disaster victims and communities that may become isolated due to natural disasters;

          and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 292, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 292, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs,

____________________________

CINDY EVANS, Chair