STAND. COM. REP. NO. 531

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: S.B. No. 989

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 989 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR CIVIL DEFENSE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make various appropriations to enhance the civil defense functions and programs for (1) six new positions to implement around-the-clock operations; (2) additional sirens to cover gap areas and maintenance and repair costs; and (3) hardening of buildings by retrofitting.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Department of Defense (DOD) and Honolulu Police Department.

Your Committee 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. In order to strengthen Hawaii's emergency management system, the expansion of Hawaii's emergency operations is essential, including providing an around the clock, year round emergency operating center. A 24/7 operation provides the watch capability to monitor threat information and to disseminate that information, and provides early warning for natural and man-made hazards. Currently, by agreement, the Honolulu Police Department Communications Division has provided the State since 1975 an early warning system (State Warning Point) through the 911 call center and radio dispatching. This function should rightfully belong to the State.

In 2002, the state civil defense initiated a 15-year modernization program to add sirens in coverage gap areas and to replace older siren systems. The current requirement for 151 siren systems in coverage gap areas is estimated to cost $9.2 million. Upgrading 131 older sirens is estimated at $8 million.

This measure would allow the retrofitting of school buildings to increase the number of emergency shelter spaces by 19,400, a significant step toward meeting the shelter shortfall of 124,000 spaces. The DOD will coordinate the retrofit activities with other state agencies and with the four county civil defense agencies.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 989 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Government Operations,

____________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair