HB1468 Summary

• Establishes the Special Operations K9 Unit Special Fund in the state treasury to receive appropriated moneys, grants, gifts, donations, and other funds for law enforcement canine operations.

• Authorizes expenditure of fund moneys by the Department of Public Safety for federal, state, and county law enforcement efforts to prevent narcotic use and trafficking, detect explosives, and detect currency.

• Appropriates $7,000,000 for fiscal years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 to fund 50 full-time equivalent permanent canine handler positions and 50 deputy canines distributed across the islands: 30 handlers and canines on Oahu, 10 on Hawaii island, 6 on Maui, and 4 on Kauai.

• Addresses Hawaii's drug epidemic by expanding the existing special operations K9 unit from 5 canine handlers and 5 deputy canines to a significantly larger force capable of narcotics and explosives detection.

• Takes effect on July 1, 2017.