THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2156

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO PORT INFRASTRUCTURE.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that maintenance dredging is critical to the maintenance of small boat harbors, channels, ramps, and other port infrastructure in the State.  The legislature further finds that the current system of waiting until dredging is imminent to appropriate funds and only then initiating the permitting process creates a haphazard system for both the allocation of money and the issuance of permits.  This disorganized process sometimes contributes to worsened conditions at these facilities when increased amounts of marine sediment and foreign debris accumulate, sometimes up to such a height that, if not cleared immediately, can damage the hulls of ships.  These conditions can potentially cause a shutdown of the affected sites, which are important for recreation and subsistence fishing and use by the general public, for safety reasons.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of land and natural resources to conduct maintenance dredging at state small boat harbors, boat launch ramp facilities, and other state boating facilities and waterways, including design, permitting, and dredging work, as identified by the department of land and natural resources.

     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 $3,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the purpose of conducting maintenance dredging at state small boat harbors, boat launch ramp facilities, and other state boating facilities and waterways, including design, permitting, and dredging work, as identified by the department of land and natural resources.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  Beginning with fiscal year 2025-2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, the department of land and natural resources shall include in its annual budget request line-item funding for maintenance dredging at state boating facilities.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

 

 

 

Report Title:

DLNR; Maintenance Dredging; Port Infrastructure; Report; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources on an annual basis to conduct maintenance dredging at state small boat harbors, boat launch ramp facilities, and waterways.  Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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