Report Title:

Storm damaged dams; safety

 

Description:

Appropriates funds ($2,000,000) to: (1) cover the costs of recovery and remediation efforts as a result of storms that occurred in February and March 2006; (2) stabilize and repair storm-damaged slopes, drainage ways, and drainage systems to restore functionality and prevent future damage; (3) hire consultants to: (A) determine the structural integrity of dams and reservoirs statewide; (B) assess potential immediate risks; and (C) recommend long-term plans to ensure dam safety; (4) investigate, review, and litigate legal issues related to dam and reservoir failures, issues, relating to the safety of dam and reservoir failures, and issues relating to the safety of existing dams and reservoirs; and (5) investigate and litigate, civilly and criminally, all issues relating to the Ka Loko dam breach of March 2006.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1255

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

MAKING APPROPRIATIONS RELATING TO NATURAL DISASTERS.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to:

     (1)  Cover the costs of recovery and remediation efforts as a result of storms that occurred in February and March 2006;

     (2)  Stabilize and repair storm-damaged slopes, drainage ways, and drainage systems to restore functionality and prevent future damage;

     (3)  Hire consultants to:

         (A)  Determine the structural integrity of dams and reservoirs statewide;

         (B)  Assess potential immediate risks;

         (C)  Recommend long-term plans to ensure dam safety;

         (D)  Investigate and review legal issues related to dam and reservoir failures, issues relating to the safety of dam and reservoir failures, and issues relating to the safety of existing dams and reservoirs; and

         (E)  Investigate and litigate, civilly and criminally, all issues relating to the Ka Loko dam breach that occurred in March 2006.

     The legislature finds and declares that the appropriations made by this Act are in the public interest and for the public health, safety, and general welfare of the 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 2007-2008 for overtime, travel, and other staff expenses, for litigation expenses, and to hire attorneys, consultants, and experts with regard to matters and issues relating to the Ka Loko dam breach of March 2006.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of the attorney general for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000, or so much thereof, as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 for staff expenses and to hire consultants to conduct surveys, studies, investigations, post flood report, and assessments of Kaloko dam to determine its current physical integrity.  Assessments shall include recommendations for future structural needs and identification of potential effects or threats to areas around and downstream of the Ka Loko dam.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  Each department or agency expending funds authorized by this Act shall submit reports to the legislature no later than July 15, 2007, January 15, 2008, and July 15, 2008.  The information contained in the reports shall:

     (1)  Be organized by county;

     (2)  Provide summaries of expenditure data on a statewide basis; and

     (3)  Include:

         (A)  The date of each expenditure;

         (B)  The purpose and a description of each expenditure;

         (C)  The identification of any recipient of payments from each expenditure; and

         (D)  For funds not authorized by this Act but nevertheless used by any department or agency for the purposes of this Act:

              (i)  The source of those funds, by specific program;

             (ii)  The impact to the programs originally funded by those funds; and

            (iii)  The need for any emergency appropriations that resulted from the diversion of those funds.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

BY REQUEST