THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1485
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AT STATE SMALL BOAT HARBORS AND STATE PARKS.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that state small boat harbors and state parks are important locations for the State, serving as hubs of ocean and land-based recreation for residents and visitors alike. Small boat harbors have endured impacts from numerous vessels, and both small boat harbors and state parks have been weathered by vehicles, visitors, and vandalism. Further, state small boat harbors and state parks have an extensive backlog for the construction, repair, and maintenance of critical infrastructure.

The legislature further finds that many efforts were made by the division of boating and ocean recreation and division of state parks to repair and redevelop small boat harbors and conduct repair and maintenance on state park features and infrastructure. Both divisions are working toward developing a new process to provide for the redevelopment of their facilities, and the division of state parks is developing an asset management program to standardize routine repair and maintenance efforts to reduce the need for capital improvement projects. However, repair work is needed immediately to ensure that small boat harbors and state parks provide attractive, high quality, and safe experiences for Hawaii's residents and visitors.

The legislature further finds that repair, maintenance, and construction needs often arise when the legislature is not in session. However, due to the statutory requirement that capital improvement projects be approved by the legislature and governor, many capital needs are put on hold until the next legislative session. This leads to the further deterioration of facilities and increased costs to the State. This Act would provide a streamlined and efficient response to address capital needs in a timely manner and with the best cost-efficiency for the State.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to provide the division of boating and ocean recreation and division of state parks with more flexibility in funding repair and construction projects for existing facilities at state small boat harbors and state parks.

SECTION 2. Section 103-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§103-7 Capital improvements; authorizations for; emergency repairs or reconstruction, exception. All capital improvement projects requiring the use of general funds, special funds, general obligation bonds, and revenue bonds of the State, except projects covered by chapter 41D shall require authorization by the legislature and the governor[.]; provided that capital improvement projects for state small boat harbors and state parks shall not require authorization by the legislature and the governor for existing facilities."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2112.

Report Title:

Small Boat Harbors; State Parks; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Capital Improvement Projects; Existing Facilities

Description:

Allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources to engage in capital improvement project work at state small boat harbors and state parks without prior approval from the Legislature and Governor for existing facilities. Effective 7/1/2112. (SD1)

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