Report Title:

Civil Defense; Appropriation

Description:

Makes an appropriation to assist Civil Defense in reorganizing its operations and reconstituting an around the clock, year round emergency operating center.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1387

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

Making an appropriation for state civil defense positions.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature recognizes that emergency management is one of the most important functions of state government in the protection of lives and property against disasters and to help the State and its citizens recover when disaster strikes. Although the value of this service is more apparent during and after a disaster has occurred, the importance of emergency management is also evident in the activities the public does not always notice, such as disaster drills and exercises, hazard mitigation programs, public warning tests, and preparedness education. While state emergency management organizational structures vary, the fundamental responsibility remains the same: save lives, prevent injury, and reduce property loss.

Hawaii is at risk to every conceivable natural and man-made disaster, many of which may strike at any moment with little or no advance warning. With the ongoing war on terrorism, our nation also faces the risk of terrorist attacks.

The legislature finds that every available minute is needed to assess potentially dangerous situations and be in a position to coordinate warnings and actions to protect lives and property. Therefore, in order to strengthen Hawaii's emergency management system, it is the intent of the legislature to expand Hawaii's emergency management operations to include supporting state civil defense in reorganizing its operations and re-constituting an around the clock, year round emergency operating center to provide around the clock warning on a twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week basis. This around the clock capability should be protected in a hardened, all-weather facility capable of accommodating appropriate public and private emergency response organizations with requisite communications and information management systems.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to establish eight additional positions to assist state civil defense in reorganizing its operations and re-constituting an around the clock, year round emergency operating center. This capability is critical to the conduct of early warning, evacuation of vulnerable communities, and for the implementation of measures that protect people and property. A twenty-four hour, year round emergency operating center watch capability ensures that the state emergency operating center is able to process and disseminate intelligence and warnings to prepare the public for the effects of natural and man-made hazards including terrorism.

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 2005-2006, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, to establish eight additional positions to assist state civil defense in reorganizing its operations and re-constituting an around the clock, year round emergency operating center.

SECTION 3. The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of defense for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.

INTRODUCED BY:

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