Bill Text: HI HB2103 | 2014 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii House Bill 2103 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Native Hawaiians; Aha Moku Advisory Committee; Appropriation ($)

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-29 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with Jordan voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Takai excused (1). [HB2103 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-HB2103-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2103
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE AHA MOKU ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the aha moku system is a system of best practices based upon the indigenous resource management practices of moku (regional) boundaries, which acknowledge the natural contours of land, the specific resources located within those areas, and the methodology necessary to sustain resources and the community. The aha moku advisory committee was established by Act 288, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, to advise on issues related to land and natural resources management through the aha moku system.

The legislature also finds that the aha moku system will foster understanding and practical use of knowledge, including native Hawaiian methodology and expertise, to ensure responsible stewardship and awareness of the interconnections of the clouds, forests, valleys, land, streams, fishponds, and sea. The aha moku system will include the use of community expertise and establish programs and projects to improve communication, provide training on stewardship issues throughout the region (moku), and increase education.

The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Designate the aha moku advisory committee as a permanent entity within the department of land and natural resources;

(2) Require that the aha moku advisory committee hire an executive director;

(3) Set forth the qualifications to be possessed by the executive director;

(4) Require the aha moku advisory committee to report to the legislature twenty days after the closing of each fiscal year;

(5) Require the executive director to be included in all matters considered by the board of land and natural resources that pertain to natural resources; and

(6) Appropriate funds for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the aha moku advisory committee's administrative and operational expenses.

SECTION 2. Section 171-4.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§171-4.5[]] Aha moku advisory committee; established. (a) There is established the aha moku advisory committee to be placed within the department of land and natural resources [~~for administrative purposes.~~] permanently. The committee may advise the chairperson of the board of land and natural resources in carrying out the purposes of this section.

(b) The committee shall consist of eight members appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate from a list of nominations submitted by the aha moku councils of each island. Oversight of the aha moku advisory committee shall be by the chairperson of the board of land and natural resources. The committee members shall select the committee chairperson from among the members.

(c) The members shall not receive compensation for their service, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred while participating in meetings and events approved in advance by the chairperson of the board of land and natural resources.

The aha moku advisory committee [~~may~~] shall hire an executive director who shall be exempt from chapter 76. The executive director shall be of native Hawaiian ancestry and have generational knowledge regarding the aha moku system. The executive director may hire an administrative or executive assistant, who shall be exempt from chapter 76, to assist the executive director in accomplishing the purposes of the aha moku advisory committee.

(d) The aha moku advisory committee may provide advice on the following:

(1) Integrating indigenous resource management practices with western management practices in each moku;

(2) Identifying a comprehensive set of indigenous practices for natural resource management;

(3) Fostering the understanding and practical use of native Hawaiian resource knowledge, methodology, and expertise;

(4) Sustaining the State's marine, land, cultural, agricultural, and natural resources;

(5) Providing community education and fostering cultural awareness on the benefits of the aha moku system;

(6) Fostering protection and conservation of the State's natural resources; and

(7) Developing an administrative structure that oversees the aha moku system.

(e) The committee shall submit an annual report in English and Hawaiian to the legislature and the chairperson of the board of land and natural resources no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular legislative session. The annual report shall include a list of all recommendations made by the committee and the resulting action taken by the department over the course of the prior year. The committee shall also submit a progress report in English and Hawaiian to the legislature twenty days after the close of each fiscal year.

(f) The executive director of the aha moku advisory committee shall be included in all matters considered by the board pertaining to natural resources. For the purposes of this subsection, "natural resources" shall have the same meaning as defined in section 6K-8.5."

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 2014-2015 for the administrative and operational expenses of the aha moku advisory committee.

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

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

Report Title:

Native Hawaiians; Aha Moku Advisory Committee; Appropriation

Description:

Permanently assigns the Aha Moku Advisory Committee to the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Requires that the Aha Moku Advisory Committee hire an executive director who shall be included in all matters pertaining to natural resources. Requires the committee to submit a progress report to the legislature 20 days after the close of each fiscal year. Appropriates funds to the Aha Moku Advisory Committee for fiscal year 2014-2015. Effective July 1, 2020. (HB2103 HD1)

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