HB2160

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that hundreds of communities across the country operate their own emergency advisory radio stations to advise residents in situations such as Amber alerts, school incidents, flash floods, industrial accidents, terror threats, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other types of emergencies. The legislature also finds that emergency advisory radio broadcasts may be effective in providing Hawaii's residents with updated reports, alerts, and instructions in emergency situations.

The legislature finds that emergency advisory radio stations are frequently used along with sirens to inform listeners of emergencies. Emergency managers may trigger prerecorded broadcast sequences via telephone, pushbutton, siren system, or other external control. Emergency managers may also broadcast live messages in real time as the situation requires. An emergency advisory radio station may also be used to re-broadcast notices from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration if necessary.

Emergency advisory radio stations may also be used to provide non-emergency information to residents, such as information on street repairs, public notices, upcoming events, local history, and even visitor information. The following may find emergency advisory radio stations helpful for broadcasting emergency and nonemergency information: county departments of emergency management, fire departments, law enforcement, public works, convention and visitors bureaus, chambers of commerce, airports, transportation departments, schools and universities, and the military.

The purpose of this Act is to establish am emergency advisory radio station pilot project on the island of Hawaii to alert residents to emergencies and other important information.

SECTION 2. (a) The director of civil defense shall establish a pilot project for an emergency advisory radio station on the island of Hawaii.

(b) The director of civil defense shall apply to the Federal Communications Commission for a government entity license on an open frequency from 530kHz to 1700 kHz AM for the purpose of broadcasting content that is noncommercial voice information relating to emergency management, weather, public safety, travel, public services, and points of interest. The emergency advisory radio station shall begin providing services within one year of the receiving the license.

SECTION 3. The director of civil defense shall submit a report to the legislature, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2009, on the status of the pilot project, including any recommendations for expanding the project and proposed legislation, if necessary.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $20,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the purpose of establishing an emergency advisory radio station pilot project on the island of Hawaii.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of defense for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2160
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII