HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	953
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the department of land and natural resources.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that residents and visitors of the State have difficulty finding the application process needed to use lands administered by the department of land and natural resources that are publicly available for recreational purposes, including placing a reservation for a state park camping permit or obtaining a freshwater game fishing license to fish for certain species or to fish in certain areas. Commercial operators desiring to enter the market in the State are also frequently confused about the required authorizations, licenses, and permits necessary to operate on department of land and natural resources administered lands, leading to a variety of illegal and unauthorized commercial offerings on the lands.

The legislature further finds that to find the information to begin the application process, an individual must navigate from the department of land and natural resources home website through multiple links to find the appropriate division website that houses the desired information and forms to go through the application process. A website that consolidates all of the forms and application processes required by the department of land and natural resources to conduct outdoor recreational and commercial activities in the State will help to streamline the application process and be of great benefit to residents, visitors, and commercial operators of Hawaii.

The purpose of this Act is to require and appropriate funds to the department of land and natural resources to develop and publish a website that contains the application processes necessary to acquire a permit, license, or reservation to conduct recreational and commercial activities that are regulated by or under the jurisdiction of the department.

SECTION 2. (a) No later than December 31, 2023, the department of land and natural resources shall develop and publish a website that includes all online application processes necessary to acquire a permit, license, or reservation needed to conduct recreational and commercial activities in the State that are regulated by or under the jurisdiction of the department, including but not limited to:

(1) Permits for a campsite, cabin, or pavilion;

(2) Licenses and permits to hunt or catch or hatch aquatic life or marine life, as allowed by state and federal law;

(3) Reservations to access certain state parks;

(4) Access, collection, research, and other required activities;

(5) Film permits;

(6) Permits to conduct commercial tours;

(7) Permits to conduct boating activities; and

(8) Licenses and permits for any other authorized recreational and commercial activities regulated by the department.

(b) The department of land and natural resources shall convert and make available all existing application processes, including forms required by the application process and the acceptance of any fee payments, to acquire a permit, license, or reservation needed to conduct recreational and commercial activities in the State that are regulated by or under the jurisdiction of the department into a digital format to be used in the application processes on the department's website established pursuant to subsection (a).

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the establishment of a website as required pursuant to section 2 of this Act.

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

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Department of Land and Natural Resources; Recreational Activities; Commercial Activities; Permits; Licenses; Reservations; Website; Appropriation

Description:

Requires DLNR to develop and publish a website that includes the application processes for a permit, license, or reservation needed to conduct recreational and commercial activities in the State that are regulated by or under the jurisdiction of the department. Requires DLNR to convert existing application processes into a digital format to be used on the website. Appropriates funds for the establishment of the website.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.