THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	213
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

urging the Governor and mayors of the respective counties to ensure that the costs of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination programs are reimbursed from Federal emergency MAnagement agency funds until those funds are exhausted before OTHER State funds are expended.

 

 

        WHEREAS, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a deleterious effect on the economy of the United States and the State; and

 

        WHEREAS, distribution of vaccines for the SARS-CoV-2 virus began in the United States in January of 2021; and

 

        WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) granted the State $87,400,000 to open multiple, state-led community vaccination sites; and

 

        WHEREAS, the FEMA funds will reimburse expenses for medical and support staff; personal protective equipment; facility costs and supplies required to store, handle, transport, and administer vaccines; and efforts to share public information regarding vaccinations; and

 

        WHEREAS, FEMA's Public Assistance program will provide the initial $87,400,000 of the $174,800,000 expedited project, and additional funding will be reimbursed upon submission of documentation supporting further expenditures; and

 

        WHEREAS, funds from FEMA's Public Assistance program are also available to certain private non-profit (PNP) organizations, provided that the PNP organization can show that it has a ruling letter from the Internal Revenue Service granting tax exemption under sections 501(c), (d), or (e) of the Internal Revenue Code and documentation from the State substantiating that the non-revenue producing organization or entity is a nonprofit entity organized or doing business under state law; and

 

        WHEREAS, because the State has limited funds due to the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that FEMA funds be fully expended before appropriating other funds for vaccines or vaccination programs; now, therefore,

 

        BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2021, that the Governor and mayors of the respective counties are urged to ensure that the costs of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination programs are reimbursed from FEMA funds until those funds are exhausted before other State funds are expended; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, Mayor of the County of Maui, Mayor of the County of Hawaii, and Mayor of the County of Kauai.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:  

FEMA; COVID-19; Federal Funds; Vaccinations