STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2987

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2555

       H.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2555, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE HAWAII CIVIL AIR PATROL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to make an appropriation of funds for the operational expenses of the Hawaii Civil Air Patrol.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Civil Defense, the 66th Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol, the Hawaii Wing, Civil Air Patrol, the Lyman Field Composite Squadron, and nineteen individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Civil Air Patrol is an important resource for state and county civil defense agencies during times of emergency.  Since the early 1950s, the volunteers of the Patrol have provided tsunami warning and essential disaster relief services across the State.

     Your Committee also finds that funding sources for the Hawaii Civil Air Patrol has declined over the years.  For example, for fiscal years 1997 through 2003, no state funding was provided to the Patrol, and for fiscal years 2004 through 2007, funding levels were lower that that provided during the period from fiscal year 1982 until fiscal year 1997.  Your Committee is also aware that the legislative appropriation of $75,000 for fiscal year 2007 will be exhausted by March 31, 2008.

     This measure provides needed funding to help ensure the continued provision of the vital services which the volunteers of the Hawaii Civil Air Patrol provide for the welfare and safety of the people of our State.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2555, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair