Report Title:

Civil Air Patrol; Funding; Appropriation

 

Description:

Makes appropriation for expenses of the Hawaii wing, civil air patrol.  (HB2555 HD1)

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2555

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE HAWAII CIVIL AIR PATROL.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the Hawaii civil air patrol provides necessary disaster relief, search and rescue, homeland security, and medical emergency transport services to local and national organizations.  The Hawaii civil air patrol also provides low-cost humanitarian emergency services and homeland security support to the State, through the humanitarian pre-disaster emergency warning and post-disaster recovery operations, as well as support to federal agencies involved with homeland security in the event of a terrorist attack.

     The legislature further finds that the $75,000 appropriated for fiscal year 2007 will be exhausted by March 31, 2008.  The legislature also finds that there was no funding at all for the Hawaii civil air patrol for fiscal years 1997 through 2003.  The level of funding from fiscal year 2004 through 2007 was below historical funding levels from fiscal year 1982 until fiscal year 1997.  Thus, historically the Hawaii civil air patrol has struggled to maintain its readiness capabilities.  In the past, it has relied upon combining pilot proficiency and competency training with the United States Air Force and Drug Enforcement Administration programs.  However, this funding on the federal level is declining.

     The legislature further finds that the lack of funding has other adverse consequences to the State, including maintaining an adequate tsunami warning system and disaster relief missions.

     Since the early 1950s, the civil air patrol has provided tsunami warning services to the State.  Once a tsunami alert has been issued by the National Weather Service, the civil air patrol mobilizes its aircraft, making repeated passes over beaches and coastal communities using sirens and loud speakers to warn residents.  The civil air patrol also plays a vital role in disaster relief.  Volunteer civil air patrol members fly disaster relief officials to remote locations and support local, state, and national disaster relief organizations with experienced pilots and personnel.  The civil air patrol transports time-sensitive medical materials, blood products, and body tissue.

     The purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation to help defray the operational expenses of the Hawaii civil air patrol.

     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 2008-2009 for the Hawaii civil air patrol operational expenses.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.