Bill Text: HI SB262 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 262 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Pueo Research.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-01-22 - Referred to WTL/HRE, WAM. [SB262 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2019-SB262-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	262
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO PUEO RESEARCH.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the pueo, or Hawaiian short-eared owl, is an endemic subspecies of the short-eared owl known as the "bird of wisdom" that offers guidance and protection. It also has a special place in Hawaii's culture and is revered by the ancient Hawaiians as an �aumakua, or ancestral guardian for many Hawaiian families. Because of the cultural significance and potential ecological benefits of the pueo, it is important to conduct comprehensive studies on the pueo in order to allow researchers to better identify preferred breeding and foraging habitats and ensure the continued survivability of the pueo in the State.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of land and natural resources to conduct, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources, a breeding ecology study and foraging ecology study on the pueo statewide.

SECTION 2. (a) There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $400,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 for the department of land and natural resources to conduct, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources, a breeding ecology study and foraging ecology study on the pueo statewide, including the hiring of necessary staff, equipment, and dissemination of research; provided that the sum appropriated shall include:

(1) $50,000 for vehicles and supplies;

(2) $150,000 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) lead researcher and one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) technician;

(3) $25,000 for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) volunteer coordinator; and

(4) $20,000 for overhead costs.

(b) The studies shall be conducted in each county in a sequence of phases, with the next phase to begin upon completion of the previous phase, as follows:

(1) City and county of Honolulu;

(2) County of Hawaii;

(3) County of Kauai; and

(4) County of Maui.

The sum 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.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Pueo; Research; Study; University of Hawaii; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct, in collaboration with the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, a statewide breeding ecology study and foraging ecology study on the pueo.

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