Bill > SB1379

This bill establishes a comprehensive Community Readiness Centers Program administered by the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to enhance emergency preparedness across various communities. The program will create centers designed to support residents before, during, and after emergencies by providing critical services like food, shelter, water, communications, emergency training, medical care, device charging, and internet access. To fund this initiative, the bill renames the existing Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax to the Environmental Response, Energy, Food Security, and Resilience Tax, and directs a portion of the tax revenue into a newly created Community Readiness Centers Special Fund. The centers will be strategically located in areas outside of natural disaster zones, equipped with solar and backup battery systems, and constructed to withstand extreme weather conditions like category five hurricanes. The bill also appropriates funds for acquiring land for these centers and a new emergency operations center, and requires the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to submit a detailed report to the Legislature by the 2026 legislative session, outlining the program's progress, funding sources, partnerships, and projected revenue. The program aims to improve community resilience by creating infrastructure that can support residents during emergencies and provide essential services in times of crisis.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Military Affairs and Security

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1379&year=2026