Report Title:

Public Shelters; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates $2,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 from both the general revenues of the State of Hawaii and the interest of the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund to increase the number of public shelters by retrofitting public buildings with the installation of hurricane protective measures.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

958

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to public shelters.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature recognizes that there is a severe shortage of hurricane shelter space in Hawaii and the public looks to the State and the counties to open public buildings as shelters during hurricanes, tropical storms, and strong winds. Not all public buildings are designated as shelters because they do not meet modern standards for the design and construction of community shelters although such buildings may actually be used as shelters in times of emergency due to the shortage of shelter space. It is the intent of this legislature to increase the number of shelters available in Hawaii and to the greatest extent possible, retrofit public buildings in accordance with modern standards.

The legislature finds that the installation of hurricane protective measures to public buildings will help reduce the severe shortfall in hurricane shelter space and serve a public purpose by preserving and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the residents and visitors of this State.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the interest of the Hawaii hurricane relief fund the sum of $2,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004, and the sum of $2,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, to be deposited into the general revenues of the State of Hawaii to increase the number of public shelters available by retrofitting public buildings with the installation of hurricane protective measures.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004 and the sum of $2,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, to increase the number of public shelters available by retrofitting public buildings with the installation of hurricane protective measures.

SECTION 4. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of defense for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. The department of defense shall coordinate all work performed pursuant to this Act with the state or county agency having responsibility for the repair, maintenance and upkeep of any public building to be retrofitted.

SECTION 6. Any portion of the appropriation may be used for the purpose of matching federal hazard mitigation funds if these funds become available for use in retrofitting public buildings with the installation of hurricane protective measures.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________