STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1099

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: S.B. No. 960

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 960 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CIVIL DEFENSE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of and visitors to Hawaii by increasing statewide tsunami preparedness efforts. Specifically, this bill appropriates funds for tsunami preparedness efforts, including:

(1) Installing and maintaining new tsunami siren warning systems;

(2) Updating evacuation maps in phone books;

(3) Constructing additional emergency shelter space and retrofitting existing public buildings that could serve as emergency shelters;

(4) Providing a 24-four-hour alert staff for the state Civil Defense Division; and

(5) Expanding public education campaigns emphasizing the need for tsunami preparedness.

 

The state Department of Defense supported the intent of this bill. The Senator from the 25th District submitted comments.

Hawaii has suffered the worst tsunami disasters experienced by the United States. Given this history and the fact that Hawaii is vulnerable to tsunamis, it is important to remain vigilant to protect residents and visitors from this type of natural disaster. Since tsunami threats have the potential to cause great devastation to Hawaii, it is important to ensure that the State is adequately prepared to deal with such a disaster.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 960 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs,

 

____________________________

KEN ITO, Chair