Report Title:

Emergency Advisory Radio Station; Pilot Program

 

Description:

Establishes an emergency advisory radio station pilot project on the island of Hawaii.  (HB2160 HD1)

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2160

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO EMERGENCIES.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that hundreds of communities across the country operate their own emergency advisory radio stations to advise residents in situations such as Amber alerts, school incidents, flash floods, industrial accidents, terror threats, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other types of emergencies.

     Emergency advisory radio stations are frequently used along with sirens to inform listeners of emergencies and may be triggered to transmit prerecorded broadcast sequences via telephone, pushbutton, siren system, or other external controls.  Live messages in real time and notices from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration can also be broadcast using emergency advisory radio stations as the situation requires.

     Emergency advisory radio stations may also be used to provide a wide range of information to residents, such as information on street repairs, public notices, upcoming events, local history, and even visitor information for:

(1)  County departments of emergency management;

(2)  Fire departments, law enforcement;

(3)  Public works;

(4)  Convention and visitors bureaus;

(5)  Chambers of commerce;

(6)  Airports;

(7)  Transportation departments;

(8)  Schools and universities; and

(9)  The military.

     Emergency advisory radio broadcasts would be a valuable and effective tool in providing Hawaii's residents with updated reports, alerts, and instructions in emergency and non-emergency situations.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish am emergency advisory radio station pilot project on the island of Hawaii to alert residents to emergencies and other important information.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The director of civil defense shall establish a pilot project for an emergency advisory radio station on the island of Hawaii.

(b)  The director of civil defense shall apply to the Federal Communications Commission for a government entity license on an open frequency from 530kHz to 1700kHz AM for the purpose of broadcasting content that is noncommercial voice information relating to emergency management, weather, public safety, travel, public services, and points of interest.  The emergency advisory radio station shall begin providing services within one year of receiving Federal Communications Commission licensure.

     SECTION 3.  The director of civil defense shall submit a report to the legislature, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2009, on the status of the pilot project, including any recommendations for expanding the project and any proposed legislation.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 to establish an emergency advisory radio station pilot project on the island of Hawaii.

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

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.