HB424 HD2

SECTION 1. On October 15, 2006, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck Kiholo Bay, off the northwestern coast of the island of Hawaii. The strong 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 the island 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 earthquake also caused a widespread electrical blackout 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 affected 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 Agency was approved pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 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 the state matching funds required to receive the federal funds that are available under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for emergency relief operations in the counties of Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and the city and county of Honolulu made necessary by the October 15, 2006, Kiholo Bay earthquake disaster as follows:

(1) Upgrade state and county warning systems by providing emergency backup power generators to selected critical facilities such as:

(A) Radio and television stations to ensure continuity of operations in informing the general public of potential immediate risks;

(B) Airports; and

(2) Hire consultants to:

(A) Investigate and survey alternate sources of irrigation water for the island of Hawaii;

(B) Develop and coordinate plans for public and private partnerships to improve and protect sources and distribution of irrigation water on the island of Hawaii;

and

(3) Provide financial assistance to critical facilities such as public schools, hospitals, and nursing facilities for structural and non-structural mitigation projects.

In addition, this Act appropriates added funds for various other measures to repair state facilities and improve Hawaii's preparedness for future disasters.

SECTION 2. In accordance with section 9 of article VII, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2006-2007 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that the appropriations made in this Act are necessary to serve the public interest and to meet the needs provided for by this Act.

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 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 defense for the purposes of this Act. This appropriation is deemed necessary to qualify for federal aid.

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 provide for:

(1) Repair of state facilities damaged as a result of the October 15, 2006, earthquake, including agricultural irrigation infrastructure in Waimea, 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 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.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	424
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII