Bill Text: HI SB1526 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Conservation Enforcement.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-06-22 - Received notice of discharge of all House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 363). [SB1526 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2020-SB1526-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1526 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to conservation enforcement.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) protects about 1,300,000 acres of public lands in forests, parks, and outdoor recreation areas, and 3,000,000 acres of state ocean waters, coasts, fisheries, and boating areas. The Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) patrols the majority of DLNR lands and enforces the laws that manage, protect, and conserve Hawaii's natural resources for the 1,400,000 residents and 8,000,000 visitors that utilize these areas annually.
The legislature further finds that the large quantity, high usage, and geographic distribution of Hawaii public lands and water present DOCARE with consistent challenges related to providing effective and timely enforcement activities on a limited budget. The legislature supports DLNR and DOCARE in exploring creative methods to leverage technology and engage local communities to support the conservation of protected areas, and one such solution is the DOCARE DLNRTip app, which launched in June 2017.
DOCARE DLNRTip app is a free, smartphone-based application that allows community members to anonymously report violations on public lands to DLNR. When submitting a tip, a user includes the subject, location, and any helpful photos or videos of the violation. The DOCARE DLNRTip app's strengths include the ability to quickly report illegal acts, anonymity, and accessibility to anyone. However, the DOCARE DLNRTip app suffers from the absence of backend database management and analytics processing. The legislature finds that additional funding is needed to enable database management and analytics processing to address the DOCARE DLNRTip app's existing weaknesses and enhance DLNR's ability to efficiently enforce violations.
The legislature aims to increase information and statistics reported to DOCARE about criminal activity within the State via the advent of a comprehensive data reporting and analytics system through the DOCARE DLNRTip app. A proper data management and processing system would enable DOCARE to more efficiently track and monitor crime in specific areas and allocate limited conservation and enforcement resources to high-risk areas. This would reduce crimes such as misuse of state lands, violations of wildlife species conservation laws and oceanic recreation laws, and other crimes under DLNR jurisdiction.
The purpose of this Act is to enhance the DOCARE DLNRTip app by providing funding for a DOCARE DLNRTip app administrator position and software upgrades and app enhancements.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $125,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 to be allocated as follows:
(1) $100,000 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) DLNRTip app administrator position; and
(2) $25,000 for DLNRTip app software upgrades and app enhancements, such as geotagging, two-way messaging, data analysis, and emergency alerts.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2019.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Conservation and Resources Enforcement; DLNRTip App; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds for one DOCARE DLNRTip app administrator position and software upgrades and app enhancements to improve the DLNRTip app.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
