Bill Text: HI HB2384 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Natural Disasters; Working Group

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-27 - Referred to PBS, FIN, referral sheet 7 [HB2384 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-HB2384-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2384
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to natural disasters.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that natural disasters involving seismic waves, tidal waves, storms, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, or floods cause significant damage to property and life.  However, often times, the losses and suffering caused by many natural disasters do not rise to the "character and magnitude" necessary for the governor to declare the event a "state disaster" pursuant to section 209-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  In such cases, while the damage and suffering caused by such events may not be as widespread, but no less severe to impacted residents and users of damaged properties, the repair of the damage does not qualify for State assistance and expedited permit approval and must therefore follow the slow and tedious repair process of regular construction.

     The purpose of this Act is to require various state and county agencies to develop and agree upon processes to expedite the repair of damages caused by natural disasters that are not declared "state disasters" by the governor.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  There is established within the department of business, economic development, and tourism, the natural disasters working group to identify and establish procedures, and recommend any necessary legislation, for expediting and streamlining the recovery from natural disasters that are not declared "state disasters" by the governor pursuant to section 209-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     (b)  The natural disaster working group shall:

     (1)  Develop methods for fast-tracking or streamlining permits for repair and construction following a natural disaster that is not declared a "state disaster" by the governor; and

     (2)  Agree upon other methods and procedures for expediting repairs and construction following natural disasters.

     (c)  The working group shall consist of the following members, or their designees:

     (1)  The director of the office of planning, who shall serve as chairperson of the working group;

     (2)  The adjutant general;

     (3)  The chairperson of the board of land and natural resources;

     (4)  The director of transportation;

     (5)  The director of the county of Hawaii department of public works;

     (6)  The director of the city and county of Honolulu department of planning and permitting;

     (7)  The county engineer of the county of Kauai department of public works; and

     (8)  The director of the county of Maui department of planning.

     (d)  The director of the office of planning may invite other representatives to participate as members of the working group including individuals from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies.

     (e)  The working group shall submit a report of the procedures established along with any recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2015.

     (f)  The members of the working group shall not be compensated for their service on the working group but may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses, including travel expenses, incurred for serving on the working group.

     (g)  The office of planning shall provide administrative, clerical, and professional staff support to the working group and assist the working group in preparing its report.

     (h)  The working group shall be dissolved on June 30, 2015.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Natural Disasters; Working Group

 

Description:

Establishes the natural disaster working group to develop procedures for expediting recovery from natural disasters that are not declared "state disasters" by the governor.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.