Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Third Special Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 11 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to protect Hawaii's residents and tourists, secure our transportation infrastructure, and encourage travel to Hawaii by appropriating funds to implement security measures for state airports, harbors, and highways.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Visitor Industry Coalition, Hawaii Business Roundtable, Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Maui Hotel Association, and the Department of Transportation.

Although Hawaii is thousands of miles away from New York, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, its people still felt the powerful impact of terrorist attacks, which changed the nation forever. Safety and security have now become a major concern for the State as residents and tourists alike need to be assured that Hawaii is a safe place to live and visit.

Improving security measures for residents and visitors is one reason the Governor has convened a special session. Although the Governor and the federal government have already upgraded security measures at airports statewide, your Committee believes that additional security needs at our airports and the security requirements of the State's harbors and highways must be addressed.

This bill appropriates the following sums for security improvements in both operating expenses as well as capital improvements:

(1) $27,058,000 for state airports;

(2) $4,212,000 for state harbors; and

(3) $5,000,000 for state highways.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 11 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.