HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

571

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the university of hawaii.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  In 1992, Hurricane Iniki struck Kauai, damaging seven thousand homes and causing $2,000,000,000 in property damage.  A 2011 Federal Emergency Management Agency Risk Assessment indicates a similar strike on Oahu could cause eight times that amount of damage.

     The legislature finds that Hawaii residents require education on emergency and disaster preparedness, as indicated by:

     (1)  Rushing to the stores for food and water when there is a threatening event;

     (2)  Returning these supplies after the event;

     (3)  Complaining about short-term power outages; and

     (4)  Failing to understand the difference between hurricane versus tsunami evacuation planning.

     The legislature further finds that the record number of hurricane warnings and misses in 2014, 2015, and 2016 indicates that the State has been very fortunate, but must take much stronger action to educate the public on emergency management and disaster preparedness.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program to:

     (1)  Develop a communication strategy and outreach plan for emergency management and disaster preparedness;

     (2)  Update and reprint the fourth edition of the Homeowner's Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards; and

     (3)  Conduct a systematic and targeted education and outreach initiative throughout the State for emergency management and disaster preparedness.

SECTION 2.  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 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 for the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program to:

     (1)  Develop a communication strategy and outreach plan for emergency management and disaster preparedness;

     (2)  Update and reprint the fourth edition of the Homeowner's Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards; and

     (3)  Conduct a systematic and targeted education and outreach initiative throughout the State for emergency management and disaster preparedness.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

Relating to Emergency Management and Disaster Preparedness; University of Hawaii; Sea Grant College Program; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates moneys for the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program to develop a communication and outreach plan for emergency management and disaster preparedness, update the Homeowner's Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards, and conduct education and outreach throughout the State.

 

 

 

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