Bill Text: HI HB1581 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii House Bill 1581

Bill Title: Relating To Wildfire Prevention.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-03-22 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM. [HB1581 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-HB1581-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1581
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO WILDFIRE PREVENTION.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that following the Maui wildfires in August 2023, the speaker of the state house of representatives established six bipartisan interim working groups tasked with evaluating specific topics in the aftermath of the wildfires and making recommendations for appropriate legislative action in the regular session of 2024. Members of the working groups collaborated with federal, state, and county agencies, along with community stakeholders and interested parties, to identify immediate issues that require temporary or transitional relief for the people and businesses of west Maui.

The legislature further finds that the wildfire prevention working group was specifically tasked with identifying the causes of wildfires and preventative action that may be taken to reduce the risk of wildfires throughout the State and preparing recommendations for appropriate legislative action. All working groups released a joint final report in December 2023 detailing their findings and recommendations.

The purpose of this Act is to adopt the recommendation of the wildfire prevention working group to increase support for native plant nurseries and seed bank initiatives to provide inventory for watershed restoration projects and projects that restore ecosystems to natural fire patterns.

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 2024-2025 for the department of land and natural resources to develop a native plant nurseries and seed bank initiative program to provide an inventory for watershed restoration projects and projects that restore ecosystems to natural fire patterns; provided that the department shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, in developing the program to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025.

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

SECTION 3. 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 H.B. No. , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $ or per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. 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 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

DLNR; Wildfire Prevention; Native Plant Seed Bank; Appropriation; Expenditure Ceiling

Description:

Appropriates funds to the department of land and natural resources to develop a native plant nurseries and seed bank initiative program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

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