Bill Text: HI SB1489 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To The Natural Energy Laboratory Of Hawaii Authority.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2023-12-11 - Carried over to 2024 Regular Session. [SB1489 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-SB1489-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1489 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
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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
sensitive and appropriate commercialization of natural energy resources and
ocean-related research, technology, and industry in Hawaii and to engage in environmentally
responsible and culturally sensitive and 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 county, 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 sensitive manner that is
consistent with the State's commitment to malama Hawaii;
(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[.];
(8) Give back to
the community by engaging and supporting community outreach and education as it
relates to activities within the park to promote and cultivate a more diverse
Hawaii-grown workforce in science, technology, engineering, and math industries
through free programs for local educators, students, educational institutions
within Hawaii, and state and county-sponsored community groups; and
(9) Provide a space
and opportunities for culturally appropriate gatherings, education, and
community engagement to preserve the history of Keahole Point and the ahupuaa
of Ooma and Kalaoa.
(b)
The governing body of the authority shall consist of a board of
directors having [twelve] thirteen voting members. Three members from the general public shall
be appointed by the governor for staggered terms pursuant to section 26-34,
except that one of these members shall be a resident of the county of Hawaii[.]
and at least one member shall be a cultural practitioner representing the
ahupuaa of Ooma or Kalaoa. 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, a member of the university of Hawaii's institutional animal care
and use committee, 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. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that the existing members of the natural energy laboratory of Hawaii authority shall continue to serve until the expiration of their respective terms.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
NELHA; Duties; Board of Directors; Membership
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 membership of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority board of directors by requiring 1 board member to represent the University of Hawaii Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and 1 member to be a cultural practitioner from the ahupuaa of Ooma or Kalaoa.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
