Report Title:

Relating to Loss Mitigation

 

Description:

Directs the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii along with other appropriate federal, state and county agencies to develop a comprehensive natural disaster impact zones analysis for the state of Hawaii. (PROPOSED SB2783 HD1)

 

 


THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2783

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1

 

PROPOSED

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO LOSS MITIGATION.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The state of Hawaii is in the unique position of potentially being affected by all major natural disasters. In an effort to prepare for and protect the residents of our state, the legislature finds that it is imperative to develop a comprehensive natural disaster plan.

     SECTION 2.  The research corporation of the University of Hawaii, in collaboration with appropriate federal, state, and county agencies, including but not limited to Hawaii Volcanoes Observatory, and Maui super computer shall develop and prepare a report on comprehensive natural disaster impact zones for the state of Hawaii.

     The comprehensive natural disaster impact zones report shall include the probability and intensity of natural disasters, including but not limited to hurricanes, high winds, and flooding, and shall update disaster impact zones to include existing plans for lava inundation, earthquakes, and tsunamis.

     The comprehensive natural disaster impact zones report shall also research and report on:

     (1) The stability of public utilities;

     (2) The stability of airports and harbors; and

     (3) The structural integrity of dams, rivers, and waterways.

     SECTION 3.  Information from the comprehensive natural disaster impact zones report shall be used to develop disaster mitigation plans, which shall include but not be limited to:

     (1)  Statewide building codes to mitigate potential damage from natural disasters;

     (2)  Appropriate tax credits for disaster mitigation;

     (3)  Appropriate disaster shelters;

     (4)  Land use policies to limit the loss of property and life;

     (5)  Emergency preparedness;

     (6)  Alternatives to existing roads and highways to provide emergency access and evacuation; and

     (7)  Warning devices such as sirens and reverse 911 and reverse wireless 911 and any other plans to protect    Hawaii’s residents, visitors, and personal belongings.

     SECTION 4. The insurance commissioner shall develop a plan to convert the Hawaii hurricane relief fund established under chapter 431P, Hawaii Revised Statutes, into a natural disaster relief program.

SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the hurricane reserve trust fund the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the research corporation of the University of Hawaii to develop and prepare a report on comprehensive natural disaster impact zones pursuant to this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the research corporation of the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 6.  The research corporation of the University of Hawaii shall submit to the legislature the comprehensive natural disaster impact zones report described to section 2 of this Act no later than twenty days prior to the regular session of 2009.

     SECTION 7.  The insurance commissioner shall submit to the legislature a report of the commissioner's progress in developing the plan described in section 4 of this Act no later than twenty days prior to the regular session of 2009.

     SECTION 8.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.