Bill Text: HI HB1839 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To The Environment.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 43-5)
Status: (Engrossed) 2024-03-22 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [HB1839 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-HB1839-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1839 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the environment.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that based on the findings and recommendations of the house of representatives' environmental remediation working group, the wildfires that engulfed urban areas on Maui in 2023 contained more toxic chemicals than wildfires that simply consume wood and natural materials. Materials burned in urban fires can include household appliances, commercial appliances, vehicles, and construction materials, which can leave behind a variety of chemicals, contaminants, and debris that can persist in the ecosystem.
The legislature further finds that conducting air and water quality testing and contaminant testing is necessary to monitor the short- and long-term risks of the Maui wildfires to the ecosystem, community, and environment. Various state departments and organizations are conducting testing and monitoring of water and air samples to determine any immediate risks, and long-term monitoring is preferable to evaluate whether there are any long-term risks to human health and the ecosystem.
The purpose of this Act is to allocate funding for long-term monitoring of air and water quality in communities impacted by the Maui wildfires, as well as support for research efforts to better understand the environmental concerns linked to urban fires.
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 long-term monitoring of air and water quality in communities impacted by the Maui wildfires, as well as support for research efforts to better understand the environmental concerns linked to urban fires; provided that the sum appropriated shall be allocated as follows:
(1) $ for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) air quality electronics technician I position to support added air monitoring needs;
(2) $ for expanding Kula community air sampling efforts, including equipment and maintenance; and
(3) $ for expanding Lahaina community air sampling efforts, including equipment and maintenance.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health 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, 2024.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Air and Water Quality Monitoring; Kula; Lahaina; Department of Health; Appropriation; Expenditure Ceiling
Description:
Appropriates funds for long-term monitoring of air and water quality for communities impacted by the Maui wildfires, as well as support for research efforts to better understand the environmental concerns linked to urban fires.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
