SB1797

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1797
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the October 2006, 6.7 magnitude earthquake in Hawaii illuminated the strengths, as well as the areas needing improvement, in Hawaii's civil defense network. Hawaii's diverse ethnic population is an additional component that needs to be addressed in the civil defense system during disasters and emergency.

In addition to ensuring statewide dissemination of information in a timely manner, it is also imperative that the information be provided in a format that is accessible and understandable by everyone. A review in the aftermath of the October 2006, earthquake and subsequent statewide power outage brought forth many recommendations, including recommendation number eleven of the final report of the Governor's Comprehensive Communications Review Committee which states: "Work with the Hawaii consular corps so they can inform foreign citizens about the nature of the emergency. KZOO (Japanese) and KNDI (all other foreign languages) will broadcast the emergency messages to non-English speaking residents and visitors in the State. KZOO and KNDI will be assisted in their efforts to establish backup power generators." This recommendation supports the need for infrastructure improvements to further support the State's civil defense system in the event of an emergency.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the Ethnic Education Foundation of Hawaii to assist in disseminating information to a broader range of the State's population in the event of a disaster or emergency.

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 2007-2008 to the Ethnic Education Foundation of Hawaii, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, for generators to meet power capacity needs to ensure service in emergency situations.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of defense for the purposes of 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 2007-2008 to the Ethnic Education Foundation of Hawaii, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, for other infrastructure improvements and educational programs administered by the Hawaii State civil defense to promote awareness of emergency procedures and contacts to non-English speaking and English-as-a-second-language populations in the state.

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

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:

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