Bill Text: HI HB1320 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii House Bill 1320

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Port Infrastructure.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-12-11 - Carried over to 2024 Regular Session. [HB1320 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-HB1320-Introduced.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1320
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to port infrastructure.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that maintenance dredging is critical to the maintenance of small boat harbors, channels, ramps, and other port infrastructure in the State. However, under the current system, the necessary funding and permitting for maintenance dredging are not secured until the need for dredging becomes critical. This disorganized process sometimes exacerbates the poor conditions at small boat harbors, allowing marine sediment and foreign debris to accumulate to shallow depths that can damage the hulls of ships. These conditions can also cause a shutdown of the affected sites, which are important for recreation and subsistence fishing and use by the general public.

The legislature further finds that federal agencies have encouraged states to adopt programmatic schedules of maintenance dredging as a way to expedite federal review and even draw down available federal dollars. Creating a strategic plan for maintenance dredging of small boat harbors, channels, ramps, and other port infrastructure in the State will spread resources based on actual need and allow ample time for permitting and public input before port infrastructure reaches a critical need.

The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Require the department of land and natural resources to create a strategic plan for maintenance dredging, including sand bypassing, dewatering or stockpiling areas, and beach nourishment, of small boat harbors, channels, ramps, and other important port infrastructure in the State;

(2) Require the department of land and natural resources to complete a minimum of two projects identified in the strategic plan; and

(3) Appropriate funds.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of land and natural resources shall create a strategic plan for maintenance dredging, including sand bypassing, dewatering or stockpiling areas, and beach nourishment, of small boat harbors, channels, ramps, and other port infrastructure. The strategic plan shall include:

(1) A list of potential projects in locations where the department has identified a need for maintenance dredging;

(2) The detailed estimated costs of each project; and

(3) A detailed timeline of each project until completion that prevents or minimizes closures or interruption of services at each project site.

(b) The department of land and natural resources shall submit a report, including the strategic plan and any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2024.

(c) The department of land and natural resources shall complete a minimum of two projects identified in the strategic plan created under 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 2023-2024 to create a strategic plan for maintenance dredging pursuant to this Act.

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

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $3,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for maintenance dredging of harbor and port locations, including sand bypassing, dewatering or stockpiling areas, and beach nourishment, as identified by the strategic plan created under this Act.

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

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

DLNR; Maintenance Dredging; Port Infrastructure; Strategic Plan; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the department of land and natural resources to create a strategic plan for maintenance dredging of important port and harbor locations and report the plan to the legislature. Requires the department of land and natural resources to complete a minimum of two projects identified in the strategic plan. Appropriates funds.

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