HI SB2473

Appropriates funds from general revenues for fiscal year 2016-2017 to establish and operate a dispersion modeling center at the University of Hawaii at Manoa's School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST).

Center will operate, maintain, and improve the vog model, which tracks sulfur dioxide and volcanic gases from Kilauea volcano that combine to form visible haze affecting public health and agriculture.

Designates the University of Hawaii's vog model as the primary source of information on Kilauea emissions, which the National Weather Service uses for issuing vog forecasts.

Takes effect on July 1, 2016.