Bill Text: HI SB2781 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Related To Disaster Services.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-13 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [SB2781 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-SB2781-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2781 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATED TO DISASTER SERVICES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature also finds that in the immediate aftermath of the August 8, 2023, Maui wildfires, language interpreters and sign language interpreters were not present at the shelters nor was any provision made to assist individuals through remote interpretation. In the absence of a planned coordinated response from the Hawaii emergency management agency and the Maui emergency management agency, Hawaii's professional and community interpreters stepped in to fill the void. Non-profit organizations adjusted their budgets and strategic and contractual obligations to meet the needs of the Maui community and continue to provide services as needed.
The legislature further finds that, in addition to state and federal language access laws and regulations, section 308 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act (Stafford Act, P.L. 93-288, as amended) specifically requires entities receiving funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to identify limited English proficient populations to ensure that they are incorporated into the disaster management planning process; ensure that such populations can access disaster relief information; and develop and maintain a database identifying qualified language assistance programs that could be activated in an emergency.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to establish a limited English language access coordinator within the Hawaii emergency management agency.
SECTION 2. 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 Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only. 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 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 establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) limited English language access coordinator for the Hawaii emergency management agency.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii emergency management agency for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2042.
Report Title:
Filipino Caucus; Hawaii Emergency Management Agency; Limited English Language Access Coordinator; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to establish the position of a Limited English Proficiency Language Access Coordinator within the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded. Takes effect 1/1/2042. (SD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
