SB 1084: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

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 the division of aquatic resources of the department of land and natural resources' mission is to manage, conserve, and restore the State's unique aquatic resources and ecosystems for present and future generations.  The State faces numerous increasing threats to its streams, estuaries, and reefs from invasive species, habit degradation, land-based sources of pollution, reduced freshwater flow, and disasters.  These in turn have adversely impacted the fishing and gathering practices of local communities.

     The purpose of this Act is to support the important work of the division of aquatic resources by funding various positions within the division.

     SECTION 2.  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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish and fund the following positions within the division of aquatic resources of the department of land and natural resources:

     (1)  $           for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) aquatic biologist V position for permitting and environmental review;

     (2)  $           for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) aquatic biologist IV position for permitting and environmental review;

     (3)  $           for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) aquatic biologist V position for environmental response to emergencies;

     (4)  $           for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) aquatic biologist V position for aquatic invasive species;

     (5)  $           for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) aquatic biologist IV position for noncommercial fisheries;

     (6)  $           for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) aquatic biologist IV position for Molokai;

     (7)  $           for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) aquatic biologist III position for Molokai; and

     (8)  $           for two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) fishery technician IV positions for Molokai.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

DLNR; DAR; Aquatic Resources; Positions; Appropriations

Description:

Appropriates funds to establish positions within the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

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

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 the department of land and natural resources, division of aquatic resources' mission is to manage, conserve, and restore the State's unique aquatic resources and ecosystems for present and future generations.  The State faces numerous increasing threats to its streams, estuaries, and reefs from invasive species, habit degradation, land-based sources of pollution, reduced freshwater flow, and disasters.  These in turn have adversely impacted the fishing and gathering practices of local communities.

     The purpose of this Act is to support the important work of the division of aquatic resources by funding various positions within the division.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $551,064 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish and fund the following positions within the department of land and natural resources, division of aquatic resources:

     (1)  $71,016 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) aquatic biologist V position for permitting and environmental review;

     (2)  $63,096 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) aquatic biologist IV position for permitting and environmental review;

     (3)  $71,016 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) aquatic biologist V position for environmental response to emergencies;

     (4)  $71,016 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) aquatic biologist V position for aquatic invasive species;

     (5)  $63,096 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) aquatic biologist IV position for noncommercial fisheries;

     (6)  $63,096 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) aquatic biologist IV position for Molokai;

     (7)  $58,296 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) aquatic biologist III position for Molokai; and

     (8)  $90,432 for two full-time equivalent (2.0 FTE) fishery technician IV positions for Molokai.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

DLNR; DAR; Aquatic Resources; Positions; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to establish positions within the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Aquatic Resources.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 366

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1084

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 1084 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to support the important work of the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources by funding various positions within the Division.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea, Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that it is the Division of Aquatic Resources' mission to manage, conserve, and restore the State's unique aquatic resources and ecosystems for present and future generations.  Your Committee finds that the State faces numerous increasing threats to its streams, estuaries, and reefs from invasive species, habit degradation, land-based sources of pollution, reduced freshwater flow, and disasters, which in turn have adversely impacted the fishing and gathering practices of local communities.  This measure will enable the Division of Aquatic Resources to assist local communities and better fulfill its mission.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing each appropriation to an unspecified amount;

     (2)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1084, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1084, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,