HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1665

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to warning sirens.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii has the world's largest single integrated outdoor siren warning system for public safety.  The legislature further finds that this all-hazard siren system can be used for a variety of natural and human-caused events, including tsunamis, hurricanes, dam breaches, flooding, wildfires, volcanic eruptions, terrorist threats, and hazardous-material incidents.

     In addition, the legislature finds that the sirens' output is one hundred twenty-one decibels and, according to the manufacturer, can reach a radius of three thousand four hundred feet.  However, this range may vary due to environmental and surrounding physical conditions.  The sirens are battery-powered and use a photovoltaic charging system.

     Moreover, the legislature finds that the sirens constitute part of the larger Hawaii statewide alert and warning system, which includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, which uses the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts to warn the public.

     In light of the deadly wildfires that devastated Lahaina, Maui, on August 8, 2023, it is imperative that the effectiveness of the State's outdoor siren warning system be upgraded to enhance the protection and safety of Hawaii's residents and visitors.

     Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to require the Hawaii emergency management agency to prepare and develop a plan to upgrade all-hazard warning sirens to be capable of transmitting voice instructions and directions and capable of voice activation.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The Hawaii emergency management agency shall upgrade all-hazard warning sirens to be capable of transmitting voice instructions and directions and capable of voice activation.

     (b)  The Hawaii emergency management agency shall prepare and develop a plan no later than September 1, 2024, to accomplish the objective identified in subsection (a).

     (c)  The Hawaii emergency management agency shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days before the regular session of 2025.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the Hawaii emergency management agency to prepare and develop a plan to upgrade all-hazard warning sirens to be capable of transmitting voice instructions and directions and capable of voice activation.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii emergency management agency for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37‑91 and 37‑93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No.     , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $           or      per cent.  In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $           or      per cent.  The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $           or      per cent.  The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

     (1)  The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

     (2)  The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 of this Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

All-hazard Warning Sirens; Hawaii Emergency Management Agency; Upgrade; Plan; Appropriation; Expenditure Ceiling

 

Description:

Requires the Hawaii emergency management agency to prepare and develop a plan to upgrade all-hazard warning sirens to be capable of transmitting voice instructions and directions and capable of voice activation.

 

 

 

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