SB838 CD1

Report Title:

Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund; Hazard Mitigation Grants

 

Description:

Requires HHRF to develop and implement a two-year pilot program to provide grants to residential property owners for installation of HHRF-approved wind damage mitigation devices that lessen the probability of property loss from strong winds. Appropriates funds. (CD1)

 

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	838
TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1
		C.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO HAWAII HURRICANE RELIEF FUND.

 

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

SECTION 1. There is established a two-year pilot program, not subject to chapter 42F, 91, or 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to provide grants to residential property owners for installation of Hawaii hurricane relief fund-approved wind damage mitigation devices that lessen the probability of property loss from strong winds.

The legislature finds that the grant program serves a public purpose by protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of this State. The installation of wind resistive devices will help to reduce the incidence and severity of personal injury and property damage in the event of a hurricane, thereby preserving human life and property values and minimizing disruptions to business activity and the delivery of public services. The grant program also serves the public purpose of stimulating economic growth and activity in the State by creating employment opportunities.

The Hawaii hurricane relief fund shall develop and implement the pilot program. Grants shall be awarded on a dollar-for-dollar matching funds basis, up to a maximum $3,500 per insured location. Any costs of property inspection required by the pilot program may be made payable by the property owner and may be used to meet the matching funds amounts.

The Hawaii hurricane relief fund may spend up to $10,000,000 of investment revenue from the hurricane reserve trust fund over two years for the pilot program, which shall include the costs of administering and advertising the pilot program.

Grants shall be awarded only to individuals who:

(1) Are residential property owners;

(2) Are current or former policyholders of the fund;

(3) Submit a completed application form and supporting documentation in accordance with procedures established by the board of directors of the Hawaii hurricane relief fund, that includes information on the location of the subject property and the type of construction activity to be undertaken;

(4) Agree to install only wind damage mitigation devices approved by the Hawaii hurricane relief fund;

(5) Acknowledge that the number of grants to be awarded are limited to available funds and will be awarded on a "first come first served" basis;

(6) Acknowledge that grants are provided on a dollar-for-dollar matching funds basis, up to a maximum $3,500 per insured property;

(7) Provide post-installation information regarding wind damage mitigation devices installed by the grantee; and

(8) Provide any other necessary information requested by the Hawaii hurricane relief fund.

The Hawaii hurricane relief fund shall submit a report on the status of the pilot program to the legislature at least twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2002.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the hurricane reserve trust fund the sum of $5,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, and $5,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2002-2003, to develop and implement the pilot program established in this Act.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii hurricane relief fund for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001, and shall be repealed on July 1, 2003.