THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

25

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES TO ENSURE THAT ALL NEW state PUBLIC BUILDINGS ERECTED IN AREAS NOT SERVED BY A PUBLIC SHELTER INCLUDE A PORTION OF THE BUILDING DESIGNATED TO SERVE AS A PUBLIC SHELTER.

 

WHEREAS, there is a severe shortage of public shelter space in Hawaii, and the public looks to the State and the counties to open public buildings as shelters during hurricanes, tropical storms, strong winds, and other natural disasters; and

WHEREAS, many areas of the State do not have a designated public shelter in case of emergencies that threatens the surrounding communities; and

WHEREAS, 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; and

WHEREAS, the State has an obligation to provide for the public safety and welfare; and

WHEREAS, in lieu of constructing actual public shelters, a portion of new public buildings could serve as public shelters if designed and constructed accordingly; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Accounting and General Services is requested to ensure that all new state public buildings erected in areas without a designated public shelter include a portion of the building designated to serve as a public shelter; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Accounting and General Services is requested to collaborate with the Department of Defense in a cooperative effort for purposes of this measure; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Comptroller and the Adjutant General.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Civil Defense; Public Shelters