HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1136
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the hawaii institute of marine biology.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Hawaii institute of marine biology is a center of innovation for science and technology, place-based education, and indigenous resource management approaches, with a mission to advance understanding and stewardship of oceans and coasts locally and globally. The Hawaii institute of marine biology hosts a world-class research and education institute that, at present, is critically understaffed, even though it is one of the most complex research operations at the University of Hawaii, with responsibilities for maintaining its own entire island infrastructure; overseeing a marine special management area; managing its own national pollutant discharge elimination system discharge permit with the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Hawaii department of health; managing its own photovoltaic power purchase agreement; running its own diving and boating programs; and maintaining all of its own facilities, grounds, and utilities. The institute is home to twenty-eight faculty who are all highly productive and well-recognized for their excellence in various disciplines of tropical marine biology and education, making it unlike almost any other marine lab in the world due to the proximity of high-end research facilities to a living coral reef and a dedicated faculty of scientists and science educators. The legislature further finds that the Hawaii institute of marine biology's twenty-six acre campus and associated facilities bring in nearly $9,000,000 in research, education, and outreach funds annually.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to repair and replace the sewer system and repair the seawall and pier, which are critical to prevent damage to rare coral and water systems, and to continue operations at the Hawaii institute of marine biology.

SECTION 2. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $10,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2023-2024 for the Hawaii institute of marine biology of the University of Hawaii for sewage system repair and replacement at Moku o Lo‘e (Coconut island), including the sewer line connection to the city and county of Honolulu main in Kaneohe bay.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii institute of marine biology of the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this section.

SECTION 3. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $2,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary is appropriated for fiscal year 2023-2024 for the Hawaii institute of marine biology of the University of Hawaii for the plan and design of seawall and pier repairs and replacement at Moku o Lo‘e.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii institute of marine biology of the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this section.

SECTION 4. The appropriations made for the capital improvement projects authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2026, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology; Moku o Lo‘e; UH; CIP; Sewage System; Seawall; Piers; Appropriations

Description:

Authorizes the issuance of bonds and appropriates bond funds for the sewage system repair and replacement project and the seawall and pier repair and replacement project of the Hawaii institute of marine biology's facility at Moku o Lo‘e.

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