HB424

SECTION 1. On October 15, 2006, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck Kiholo Bay, off the northwestern coast of the island of Hawaii. The relatively powerful earthquake caused an extensive amount of property damage to homes, commercial buildings, and public infrastructure, with estimated damage amounting to tens of millions of dollars. Particularly hard-hit was the northwest coast of Hawaii, where agricultural irrigation systems have been devastated by landslides that have prevented the flow of surface water to north Kohala and lower Hamakua. Southern areas of Maui were also inundated with rockslides that damaged sections of roadways in the vicinity of Manawainui gulch, Alelele bay, and Kalepa bay.

In addition to the property damage, the other major impact of the earthquake was the widespread electrical blackout that occurred on Hawaii, Maui, and Oahu. The near total blackout proved especially disruptive for Oahu, with many of its residents and visitors located in high-rise buildings and left without tap water and air-conditioning. Travelers were also severely impacted by the lack of information provided to them regarding the availability of transportation, especially air travel.

In addition to the efforts of county and state agencies such as civil defense to coordinate and respond to the damage caused by the earthquake, the President issued a Presidential Declaration of a major disaster on October 18, 2006. Shortly afterwards, federal assistance provided by the Federal Emergency Management Administration was approved pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Appropriation Act. Funding was made available for debris removal and emergency protective measures for public facilities, as well as for individual assistance and hazard mitigation measures. However, these federal funds require the State to provide matching funds to share in the costs.

The purpose of this Act is to provide state matching funds to draw down the federal funds that are available under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Appropriation Act to repair the damage caused by the October 15, 2006 Kiholo bay earthquake. In addition, this Act appropriates additional funds for various other measures to repair state facilities and improve Hawaii's preparedness for future disasters.

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 2006-2007 to provide state matching funds for the federal Public Assistance Program and Individual Assistance Program pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of public safety for the purposes of this Act. This appropriation is deemed necessary to qualify for federal aid.

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 2006-2007 to provide for:

(1) Repair of state facilities damaged as a result of the October 15, 2006 earthquake, including agricultural irrigation infrastructure in lower Hamakua and north Kohala; and

(2) Structural improvements to allow state facilities to better withstand future earthquakes and other disasters.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act; provided that the funding for the repair of state facilities in paragraph (1) shall be expended by the department of agriculture for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. 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 2006-2007 to develop and implement a disaster preparedness communications plan that provides for the following:

(1) Public awareness campaigns via radio and television advertisements, the Internet, or other forms of media distribution to educate the public; and

(2) Contingency plans in case of widespread power failure to ensure that communications between agencies responsible for responding to a disaster are maintained, and to ensure timely dissemination of information to the public.

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

SECTION 5. 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 2006-2007 to provide emergency backup power generators for transportation, communication, and medical facilities around the state.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. The appropriations provided for in this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made, provided that as of June 30, 2008, all unencumbered moneys from the appropriation shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	424
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII