SB796 HD2

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	796
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 2

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to civil defense.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

PART I

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii is vulnerable to a tsunami or hurricane disaster and recognizes the importance of remaining vigilant in protecting its residents and visitors from these disasters. In view of lessons learned from the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia and Hurricane Katrina in Florida and Louisiana in 2005, and because these natural disasters could cause tremendous devastation in Hawaii, the legislature deems it vitally important to ensure that the State is adequately prepared to deal with these disasters. While state and private agencies have made great strides in improving their ability to respond to a tsunami or hurricane disaster, more resources are needed to upgrade and decrease coverage gaps in the existing warning systems.

The legislature also finds that it is critical to have effective emergency warning systems to protect residents who live in areas of the state that lie in tsunami inundation zones. In the event of a tsunami, the brief notice provided by a tsunami warning can mean the difference between reaching a safe area or remaining in the path of danger. As more and more areas of the state become developed for residential use, there is greater need for additional tsunami warning sirens in these areas. In fact, tsunami warning sirens are a critical piece of infrastructure in neighborhoods around the state.

The purpose of this part is to provide for tsunami warning sirens in new residential developments by requiring the counties to condition the approval of permits for the construction of new residential housing in tsunami inundation zones on the installation of tsunami warning sirens.

SECTION 2. Chapter 46, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§46- Installation of tsunami warning sirens. (a) Prior to issuing permits for the development of any new residential housing consisting of fifty or more residential units within a tsunami inundation zone, the counties shall require the developer requesting the permits to install tsunami warning sirens within the development, to be linked to the civil defense warning system. The department of defense shall determine the specifications for the tsunami warning sirens and their placement.

(b) Prior to issuing permits for the development of any new residential housing consisting of less than fifty residential units within a tsunami inundation zone, the counties may impose impact fees pursuant to this chapter for the purpose of installing tsunami warning sirens within the development."

PART II

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 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the state civil defense emergency supply program to effectively equip emergency shelters to support special needs populations and to maintain the development of the emergency supply program.

The sums appropriated by this section shall be expended by the department of defense for the purposes of this section.

PART III

SECTION 4. The legislature finds that it is crucial to provide notice of an impending natural disaster or emergency to segments of the population that are hearing impaired or cannot understand verbal or written communications in the languages commonly used in the state. The purpose of this part is to require the disability communications access board to identify internationally recognized symbols that may be transmitted through various forms of visual digital communications, such as cellular telephones, computers, and television, in the event of a disaster or emergency.

The disability communications access board shall identify internationally recognized symbols to be used in the event of a disaster or emergency to communicate notice through visual digital communications to persons who do not understand verbal or written communications. The disability communications access board shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than December 1, 2007.

PART IV

SECTION 5. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.