Bill Text: HI HB2620 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Oil Spill Prevention; Sea Grant College Program; University of Hawaii; Appropriation ($)
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 28-1)
Status: (Enrolled - Dead) 2014-04-25 - Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-25-14 5:35PM in conference room 329. [HB2620 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2014-HB2620-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2620 |
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TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014 |
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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 in 1992, the University of Hawaii sea grant college program published the report, "Oil Spills at Sea: Potential Impacts on Hawaii," which estimated economic losses of $6,800,000,000 if a catastrophic oil spill reached the beaches at Waikiki. This led to the preparation of the 1996 report, "Hawaii's Readiness to Prevent and Respond to Oil Spills," hereafter referred to as the "1996 report," which has been the foundation of Hawaii's emergency spill response planning and was written in partnership with the department of health, department of land and natural resources, and department of transportation.
The legislature further finds that the 1996 report has not been updated, despite the potential dire economic and environmental consequences of an oil spill in Hawaii as indicated by the 1992 economic analysis conducted by the University of Hawaii sea grant college program. In September 2013, Hawaii experienced an example of the potential impacts from a spill when hundreds of thousands of gallons of molasses were spilled into Honolulu Harbor. News of the spill spread globally, which further highlights the need to prepare a spill prevention plan. Fortunately, molasses dissolves in water and will eventually be broken down by bacteria. However, the immediate impacts to the ecosystem remain, and the impacts from an oil spill would be more persistent and damaging.
The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Require the University of Hawaii sea grant college program to submit a report updating the 1996 report to the legislature; and
(2) Appropriate funds for staffing and resources to update the 1996 report.
SECTION 2. (a) The University of Hawaii sea grant college program shall prepare a report updating the 1996 report.
(b) The updated report shall:
(1) Concentrate on the prevention and mitigation of a variety of contaminant spills into our environment;
(2) Identify natural hazards and spill risk plans; and
(3) Update critical facilities and hazard maps in the State.
(c) In preparing the report, the University of Hawaii sea grant college program shall conduct interviews with major stakeholders, including:
(1) The department of health;
(2) The department of land and natural resources;
(3) The department of transportation;
(4) The United States Coast Guard;
(5) The United States Environmental Protection Agency; and
(6) Any other organization, company, individual, or expert that the sea grant college program deems necessary.
SECTION 3. The University of Hawaii sea grant college program, in consultation with major stakeholders, shall submit a report updating the 1996 report to the legislature, including findings, recommendations, and proposed draft legislation, if necessary, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2016.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $234,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 to provide funding for staffing, administrative and technical support, office equipment and supplies, and travel expenses to enable the University of Hawaii sea grant college program to update the 1996 report.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Oil Spill Prevention; Sea Grant College Program; University of Hawaii; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program to submit a report updating the 1996 report on oil spills. Appropriates funds for staffing and resources to update the 1996 report. Effective July 1, 2014.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
