STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2082

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2527

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 S.B. No. 2527 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 Act is to make an appropriation to help defray the operational expenses of the Hawaii Civil Air Patrol.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Department of Defense; 66th Composite Squadron, Civil Air Patrol; Headquarters, Hawaii Wing, Civil Air Patrol; Hawaii Wing Civil Air Patrol; CLS Hawaii; and fourteen individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the $75,000 appropriated for fiscal year 2007 will be exhausted by March 31, 2008.  The Legislature also finds that there was no funding at all for the Hawaii Civil Air patrol for fiscal years 1997 through 2003.  The level of funding from fiscal year 2004 through 2007 was below historical funding levels from fiscal year 1982 until fiscal year 1997.  Thus, historically the Hawaii Civil Air Patrol has struggled to maintain its readiness capabilities.

     In the past, the Civil Air Patrol has relied upon combining pilot proficiency and competency training with the United States Air Force and Drug Enforcement Administration programs.  However, this funding on the federal level is declining.  The lack of funding has other adverse consequences to the State, including maintaining an adequate tsunami warning system and disaster relief missions.

     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 S.B. No. 2527 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