Bill Text: HI HB913 | 2023 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To The Natural Energy Laboratory Of Hawaii Authority.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2023-03-21 - The committee on HWN deferred the measure. [HB913 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2023-HB913-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
913 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
H.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE NATURAL ENERGY LABORATORY OF HAWAII AUTHORITY.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 227D-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsections (a) and (b) to read as follows:
"(a) There is established the natural energy
laboratory of Hawaii authority, which shall be a body corporate and politic and
an instrumentality and agency of the State.
The authority shall be placed within the department of business,
economic development, and tourism for administrative purposes, pursuant to
section 26-35. The purpose of the
natural energy laboratory of Hawaii authority shall be to facilitate research[,];
development[,]; and environmentally responsible and culturally
appropriate commercialization of natural energy resources and ocean-related
research, technology, and industry in Hawaii and to engage in environmentally
responsible and culturally appropriate retail, commercial, or tourism
activities that will financially support that research, development, and
commercialization at a research and technology park in Hawaii. Its duties shall include:
(1) Establishing, managing, and operating facilities, in compliance with all state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and licensing and permitting requirements, that provide sites for:
(A) Research and
development;
(B) Commercial projects and businesses utilizing natural resources, such as ocean water or geothermal energy;
(C) Compatible businesses engaged in scientific and technological investigations, or retail, commercial, and tourism activities; and
(D) Businesses or educational facilities that support the primary projects and activities;
(2) Providing support, utilities, and other services to facility tenants and government agencies;
(3) Maintaining the physical structure of the facilities;
(4) Promoting and marketing these facilities;
(5) Promoting and
marketing the reasonable utilization of available natural resources[;] in
a culturally appropriate and environmentally responsible manner;
(6) Supporting ocean
research and technology development projects that support national and state
interests, use facilities and infrastructure in Hawaii, and foster potential
commercial development; [and]
(7) Engaging in
retail, commercial, and tourism activities that are not related to facilitating
research, development, and commercialization of natural energy resources in
Hawaii; provided that all income derived from these activities shall be
deposited in the natural energy laboratory of Hawaii authority special fund[.];
and
(8) Engaging in
community outreach and education in west Hawaii island as they relate to
activities within the park to promote workforce development in science,
technology, engineering, math, and aquaculture industries, including through
programs for local educators, students, educational institutions within Hawaii,
and state- and county-sponsored community groups.
(b)
The governing body of the authority shall consist of a board of
directors having twelve voting members.
Three members from the general public shall be appointed by the governor
for staggered terms pursuant to section 26-34[, except]; provided
that one of these members shall be a resident of the county of Hawaii. The members shall be selected on the basis of
their knowledge, interest, and proven expertise in, but not limited to, one or
more of the following fields: finance,
commerce and trade, corporate management, marketing, economics, engineering,
energy management, real estate development, property management, aquaculture, [and]
ocean science[.], Native Hawaiian cultural practices and traditions,
conservation, and animal welfare.
The chairperson and secretary of the research advisory committee shall
serve on the board. The director of
business, economic development, and tourism, the chairperson of the board of
land and natural resources, the president of the University of Hawaii, the
mayor of the county of Hawaii, and an appointed member from the board of the
Hawaii technology development corporation, or their designated representatives,
shall serve as ex officio, voting members of the board. The tenants of the authority shall elect two
members to the board from among the tenants of the authority, of which one
member shall serve a two-year term, and one member shall serve a four-year
term. In electing the tenant members,
each tenant shall be entitled to cast one vote for each member position. The tenant members shall be recused from
voting on setting lease rents, water rates, or utility rates, but may
participate in discussions. The director
of business, economic development, and tourism shall serve as the chairperson
until such time as a chairperson is elected by the board from the
membership. The board shall elect other
officers as it deems necessary."
SECTION 2. Section 227D-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"[[]§227D-4[]] Research advisory committee. The authority shall appoint a research
advisory committee for the purpose of obtaining expert and specialized counsel
and advice on matters relating to scientific research. The research advisory committee shall include
a member of the University of Hawaii institutional animal care and use
committee and may include [as members of the committee] officers and
employees of any government department or agency or members of the scientific
community; provided that at least two members of the board shall be appointed
to the research advisory committee.
Members of the research advisory committee shall elect the
chairperson and secretary of the committee, who shall serve as members of the
board. The authority may assign its own
staff to aid and assist the research advisory committee and may
reimburse any member of the committee for necessary expenses incurred in the
performance of the member's work for the authority."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on June 30, 3000; provided that the existing members of the natural energy laboratory of Hawaii authority shall continue to serve until the expiration of their respective terms.
Report Title:
NELHA; Duties; Board of Directors
Description:
Amends the statutory duties of the natural energy laboratory of Hawaii authority. Requires the authority to conduct certain activities in a culturally sensitive and environmentally appropriate manner and to engage in community outreach and education. Amends the authorized composition of the authority's board. Effective 6/30/3000. (HD2)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
