Bill Text: HI SB2143 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Relating To The Department Of Land And Natural Resources.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-04-16 - Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 684). [SB2143 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-SB2143-Amended.html

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THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2143
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

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 wildfires are a serious threat in the State.  Wildfires can harm native ecosystems that are not typically equipped or developed to handle frequently-occurring fires.  When forests in the State are damaged by wildfires, the ecosystem does not regenerate the lost plant life; instead, invasive species and fire-prone grasses can take over native forests.  The results of wildfire destruction can be far-reaching, as reductions in native forests can lead to decreased water quality, increased erosion, and damage to coral reefs from sedimentation and nutrient loading.  Hawaii is also home to a unique array of native plants and animals, with some species found nowhere else in the world.  Protecting the State's forests from wildfires will protect the habitats for these native species.

     The legislature also finds that the wildfire management branch of the department of land and natural resources division of forestry and wildlife is severely underfunded.  The wildfire management branch provides grants for and works with the nonprofit, Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization.  The wildfire management branch does not have the staffing capacity or resources to adequately provide programming for all the State's wildfire preparedness needs, and instead partners with nonprofit organizations such as the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization to fill this gap.

     The legislature further finds that wildfire prevention nonprofits cannot count on receiving grant funding annually from the wildfire management branch and are often outcompeted by larger, national nonprofits for federal grants.  Therefore, it is necessary to secure permanent funding to support nonprofit partners that provide education, training, and support for large landowners to manage fire risks through mitigation plans and projects.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation for the wildfire management branch of the department of land and natural resources division of forestry and wildlife to support nonprofit organizations that specialize in wildfire preparedness and mitigation programming through grant disbursements.

     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 for the wildfire management branch of the department of land and natural resources division of forestry and wildlife to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that specialize in wildfire preparedness and mitigation programming.

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

     SECTION 4.  Beginning with fiscal year 2024-2025 and each fiscal year thereafter, the department of land and natural resources shall include in its annual budget request line-item funding for the wildfire management branch.  To ensure increased wildfire preparedness, the amount of funding requested shall scale proportionally with the number of organizations receiving grants through the wildfire management branch program.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

 

Report Title:

DLNR; DOFAW; Wildfire Management Branch; General Fund Expenditure Ceiling Exceeded; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Wildfire Management Branch of the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife to provide nonprofit organizations with grants for wildfire preparedness and mitigation programming.  Declares that the appropriation exceeds the state general fund expenditure ceiling for 2024-2045.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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