THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2167
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to Natural resource protection.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii's natural resources are the State's lifeblood, providing the essentials for the community to thrive and the foundation for Hawaii's economy. These resources include clean air and water, fertile soil, coral reefs, stable coastlines, biodiversity, forests, beaches, and more. Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, which has shown to have devastating effects on natural resources. In 2021, Hawaii became the first state in the nation to declare a climate crisis. Investing in the protection of natural resources, such as wetlands and coral reefs, can enhance the resilience of communities by providing natural buffers against these disasters. This proactive approach can save lives and reduce the financial burden on disaster response and recovery efforts. Improved natural resource management is the single most important strategy to prevent wildfires.

The 2023 Maui wildfires have now amplified to every resident, and indeed the world, the value of protecting, managing, maintaining, and restoring Hawaii's natural resources. Investing in the management, protection, and restoration of natural resources can also improve biodiversity protection, enhance soil and water management, and promote conservation. The department of land and natural resources is responsible for the protection, management, and restoration of Hawaii's public lands with jurisdiction of over nearly 1,300,000 acres of state lands, beaches, and coastal waters as well as seven hundred fifty miles of coastline (the fourth longest in the country). This includes state parks; historical sites; forest and forest reserves; aquatic life and its sanctuaries; public fishing areas; boating, ocean recreation, and coastal programs; wildlife and its sanctuaries; game management areas; public hunting areas; and natural area reserves.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate additional operational funds to the department of land and natural resources for the protection, management, and restoration of the State's 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 $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to provide additional operational funding to the department of land and natural resources to protect, manage, and restore the State's natural resources.

The sum 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, 2024.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

DLNR; Climate Change; Natural Resources; Protection; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates additional operational funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to protect, manage, and restore Hawaii's natural resources.

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