Report Title:

Public Shelters; Retrofitting; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates $2,000,000 per year in general funds for the 2005-2006 biennium to retrofit public buildings to increase emergency public shelters. (SD1)

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

982

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to public shelters.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature recognizes that there is a severe shortage of hurricane shelter space in Hawaii and the public looks to the State and the counties to open public buildings as shelters during hurricanes, tropical storms, and strong winds. Not all public buildings are designated as shelters because they do not meet modern standards for the design and construction of community shelters, although these buildings may actually be used as shelters in times of emergency due to the shortage of shelter space. It is the intent of the legislature to increase the number of shelters available in Hawaii and, to the greatest extent possible, retrofit public buildings in accordance with modern standards.

The legislature finds that the installation of hurricane protective measures in public buildings will help to reduce the severe shortfall in hurricane shelter space and serve a public purpose by preserving and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the residents and visitors of this State.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2005-2006 and the sum of $2,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, to increase the number of public shelters available by retrofitting public buildings with the installation of hurricane protective measures. The buildings designated to be retrofitted shall be accessible to the general public.

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of defense for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. The department of defense shall coordinate all work performed pursuant to this Act with the state or county agencies having responsibility for the repair, maintenance, and upkeep of any public building to be retrofitted.

SECTION 5. Any portion of the appropriations may be used for the purpose of matching federal hazard mitigation funds if these funds become available for use in retrofitting public buildings with the installation of hurricane protective measures.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.