Report Title:

Civil Defense

 

Description:

Allows the counties to condition the approval of permits for the construction of new residential housing in tsunami inundation zones on the installation of tsunami warning sirens or payment of impact fees.  Requires the disability communications access board to identify internationally recognized symbols to be used in the event of a disaster or emergency to communicate notices to persons that do not understand verbal or written communications.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

383

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO CIVIL DEFENSE.

 

 

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

 


PART I

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii is vulnerable to a tsunami or hurricane disaster and recognizes the importance of remaining vigilant in protecting its residents and guests from these disasters.  In view of lessons learned from the 2004 tsunami in southeast Asia and hurricane Katrina in Florida in 2005, and because these natural disasters could cause tremendous devastation in Hawaii, the legislature deems it vitally important to ensure that the State is adequately prepared to deal with these disasters.  While state and private agencies have made great strides in becoming capable of responding to a tsunami or hurricane disaster, more resources are needed to upgrade and decrease coverage gaps in the existing warning systems.

     The purpose of this part is to provide for tsunami warning sirens in new residential developments by allowing the counties to condition the approval of permits for the construction of new residential housing in tsunami inundation zones on the installation of tsunami warning sirens or payment of impact fees.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 46, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§46-    Installation of tsunami warning sirens.  (a)  Prior to issuing permits for the development of any new residential housing consisting of fifty or more residential units within a tsunami inundation zone, the counties may require the developer requesting the permits to install tsunami warning sirens within the development, to be linked to the civil defense warning system.  The department of defense may determine the specifications for the tsunami warning sirens and their placement.

     (b)  Prior to issuing permits for the development of any new residential housing consisting of less than fifty residential units within a tsunami inundation zone, the counties may impose impact fees pursuant to this chapter for the purpose of installing tsunami warning sirens within the development.

     (c)  For purposes of this section, "residential units" includes single-family, duplex, and multi-family dwelling units."

PART II

     SECTION 3.  The legislature finds that it is crucial to provide notice of an impending natural disaster or emergency to segments of the population that are hearing impaired or cannot understand verbal or written communications in the languages commonly used in the State.  The purpose of this part is to require the disability communications access board to identify internationally recognized symbols that may be transmitted through various forms of visual digital communications, such as cellular telephones, computers, and television, in the event of a disaster or emergency.

     SECTION 4.  The disability communications access board shall identify internationally recognized symbols to be used in the event of a disaster or emergency to communicate notice through visual digital communications to persons who do not understand verbal or written communications.

     The disability communications access board shall report its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than December 1, 2009.

PART III

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2009.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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