THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

161

TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

urging the Governor and Director of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to improve hawaii's emergency preparedness AND HAZARD MITIGATION MEASURES.

 

 


     WHEREAS, scientific consensus posits that storm activity, including hurricane activity, is becoming more intense and more frequent due to climate change; and

 

     WHEREAS, especially in light of the effects of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico, it is critical to be prepared for repeated intense weather events, such as Category 4 hurricanes, because Hawaii is remote and isolated; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii relies primarily on school buildings for emergency shelters; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii faces major challenges in the use of schools as shelters, including the safety and security of these structures and a lack of governance to implement solutions adequately; and

 

     WHEREAS, more attention is required to harden Hawaii's school facilities that serve as evacuation shelters, including a system that provides for:

 

     (1)  Hardening and maintenance of school shelters;

 

     (2)  Training of shelter volunteers and school staff;

 

     (3)  Periodic evacuation drills;

 

     (4)  Safety and security measures; and

 

     (5)  Appropriate resources; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency funds three Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs, including the:

 

     (1)  Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which matches a fraction of disaster relief funds to help states mitigate harms from future, similar disasters;

 

     (2)  Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program, which provides funding to reduce or eliminate long-term risks to properties insured under the National Flood Insurance Program; and

 

     (3)  Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program, which assists with implementation of a sustained pre-disaster natural hazard mitigation program to reduce the overall risk to the population and structures,

 

which make funds available to state, tribal, and territorial governments for hazard mitigation; and

 

     WHEREAS, for states with Standard Mitigation Plans, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program matches estimated aggregate disaster assistance up to fifteen percent of the first $2,000,000,000, up to ten percent for amounts between $2,000,000,000, and $10,000,000,000, and up to 7.5 percent for amounts between $10,000,000,000 and $35,333,000,000; and

 

     WHEREAS, for states with Enhanced Mitigation Plans, such as California, Florida, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington, and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program matches estimated aggregate disaster assistance up to twenty percent for amounts up to $35,333,000,000; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii has a Standard Mitigation Plan; and

 

     WHEREAS, in the event of a major natural disaster, Hawaii could receive hundreds of millions less in hazard mitigation grants to prepare for and mitigate the potential harms of future natural disasters than if the State had an Enhanced Mitigation Plan; and

 

     WHEREAS, an Enhanced Mitigation Plan will also help the State prepare for and reduce the potential harms and costs of future disasters; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program and Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program could also provide assistance to help Hawaii prepare for future disasters before they occur, including by upgrading critical facilities such as shelters; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2018, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Governor and Director of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency are urged to improve Hawaii's emergency preparedness and hazard mitigation measures; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor and Director of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency are requested to apply for the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program and Pre‑Disaster Mitigation Grant Program; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency is requested to develop an Enhanced Mitigation Plan approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, including plans to harden schools used as emergency shelters; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Adjutant General, and Director of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Hazard Mitigation; Federal Grant; Hawaii Emergency Management Agency