HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1044

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO public safety.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  Chapter 127, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§127-    Closing of businesses during tidal wave or tsunami warning.  (a)  In case of a civil defense warning relating to a tsunami or tidal wave, businesses located in tsunami evacuation areas as indicated on tsunami evacuation maps shall close after the first siren warnings are sounded and until further notice from the appropriate civil defense agency.  The applicable businesses shall close no later than       hours prior to the estimated arrival of the first wave reaching the shoreline; provided that:

     (1)  Any of the classes of retail trade, as defined in section 486J-1, that operate a station shall exercise prudent discretion and judgment in determining whether to close during a tsunami or tidal wave warning in the interests of providing liquid fuel, as defined in section 486J-1, to the public to facilitate an evacuation; provided further that if the station remains open, it shall have a sufficient number of workers on duty to assist with traffic flow in and out of the business; and

     (2)  Any business that sells staples such as food, water, blankets, and batteries, shall exercise prudent discretion and judgment in determining whether to close during a tsunami or tidal wave warning in the interests of providing staples to the general public during an evacuation.

     (b)  This section shall not apply to a health care provider who is located in a tsunami evacuation area as indicated on tsunami evacuation maps; provided that the health care provider has a current emergency management plan."

     SECTION 2.  Section 127-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "disaster relief" to read as follows:

     ""Disaster relief" means the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, other than functions for which military forces are primarily responsible, to minimize and repair injury and damage resulting from disasters caused by fire, flood, tidal wave, tsunami, volcanic eruption, earthquake, or other natural causes, or by enemy attack, sabotage, or other hostile action.  These functions include, without limitation, firefighting services, police services, medical and health services, rescue, engineering, air raid warning services, communications, radiological, chemical, and other special weapons defense, evacuation of persons from stricken areas, emergency welfare services, emergency transportation, protection of important installations, temporary restoration of public utility services, and other functions related to civilian protection, together with all other activities necessary or incidental to the preparation for and carrying out of the foregoing functions."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Disaster Relief; Tsunami Evacuation

 

Description:

Requires businesses located in tsunami evacuation areas to close at an unspecified period of time following first sounding of tidal wave or tsunami warning sirens until further notice.  Makes qualifications for gas stations, businesses that sell staple goods, and health care providers.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.