SB 2440: Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission; Centralized Resource Website; Affordability; Climate Change; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to centralized ACCESS TO resourceS.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the people of Hawaii are grappling with the escalating impacts of the dual crises of affordability and climate change.  Climate change has dynamic and multifaceted effects on the State, yet climate action is often fragmented, siloed, and therefore ineffective.  With the increasing impacts of climate change on Hawaii's working families, planning for and adapting to these anticipated impacts will require society-wide interventions.  The State must prepare for and advance these interventions by fostering greater understanding of climate-induced impacts on vulnerable populations and by providing impacted communities with resources to improve their resilience.

     The legislature further finds that the climate and affordability crises are connected.  The costs of climate change are not evenly distributed, and lower income families are more susceptible to climate hazards and less likely to have the financial resources to rebound from them.  Improving financial and economic security can build both household and community resilience to climate shocks.  Similarly, improving climate resilience, adaptive capacity, and energy efficiency can result in significant savings for working families.

     The legislature also finds that in response to the climate and affordability crises, many programs exist to offset the costs of climate preparedness for low- to moderate-income families and to provide financial resources to families struggling to meet their basic needs.  However, communicating that information in an accessible and dynamic framework has remained a challenge.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require and

appropriate funds for the development, implementation, and maintenance of a centralized resource website, modeled after Seattle's Assistance and Discount website, to connect residents to support and resources to address affordability, health, safety, and the impacts of climate change in Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission shall develop, implement, and maintain a centralized resource website, including an integrated online resource portal, to connect residents to programs, services, discounts, and assistance that address affordability, health, safety, and the impacts of climate change.

     (b)  The website shall be designed as the main starting point to access and apply for multiple programs, services, discounts, and assistance that address affordability, health, safety, and the impacts of climate change.  In light of this goal, the website shall consolidate and communicate information regarding programs and resources intended to:

     (1)  Offset the costs of climate preparedness, resilience, and adaptation for low- to moderate-income households;

     (2)  Improve household energy efficiency, reduce utility costs, and promote long-term cost savings for working families;

     (3)  Provide financial assistance or cost-reduction opportunities related to housing, utilities, food security, transportation, health care, and other basic needs; and

     (4)  Support households in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from climate-related impacts, including but not limited to extreme weather events and natural hazards.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $600,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the development, implementation, and maintenance of the centralized resource website pursuant to section 2 of this Act, to be allocated as follows:

     (1)  $500,000 for the development and implementation of the website; and

     (2)  $100,000 for the maintenance of the website;

provided that the appropriation authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal year for which the appropriation is made; provided further that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2028, shall lapse as of that date.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission; Centralized Resource Website; Affordability; Climate Change; Appropriation

Description:

Requires and appropriates funds for the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to develop, implement, and maintain a centralized resource website to connect residents to support and resources to address affordability, health, safety, and the impacts of climate change.

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