Bill Text: HI SB475 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Sea Level Rise.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-02-02 - Re-Referred to WTL/AEN, WAM. [SB475 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2021-SB475-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
475 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to sea level rise.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii is already experiencing the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, extreme tides, accelerated coastal erosion, and stronger and more frequent storms. Even with decisive actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, many of the impacts of climate change are inescapable, and require that the population and environment adapt to them.
The Hawaii climate adaptation initiative was established in 2014 with the purpose of protecting the State's economy, health, environment, and way of life by considering how to best adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change. Pursuant to section 225P-3(n), Hawaii Revised Statutes, in December 2017, the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission produced the first Hawaii sea level rise vulnerability and adaptation report. The report identified areas that are susceptible to sea level rise impacts and urged immediate preparations for a 3.2-foot increase in sea level by the mid to latter part of the century. The report also made a number of recommendations to state and county agencies based on emerging good practices and designed to strengthen Hawaii's overall readiness to address sea level rise and climate change.
The purpose of this Act is to increase funding and direct the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission, with regard to impacted areas, to:
(1) Further address the impacts of sea level rise;
(2) Identify critical public infrastructure in impacted areas;
(3) Create a plan for mitigation and adaptation to sea level rise; and
(4) Provide policy direction to the legislature about how to proceed with fully-developed strategies.
SECTION 2. (a) The Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission shall:
(1) Bring resources to the various agencies and departments in the form of best practices;
(2) Provide to the applicable state agencies and departments guidance and a coordinating structure and timeframe within which to work;
(3) Work with partners to operationalize sea level rise exposure areas into county planning and permitting, and provide a status update in the commission's annual report to the governor and legislature pursuant to section 225P-3(k), Hawaii Revised Statutes; and
(b) The Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2023.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2021-2022 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the purpose of funding the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission to conduct its activities as required by section 2 of this Act.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2021-2022 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 to fund the climate change mitigation and adaptation coordinator position established by Act 32, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission; Sea Level Rise; Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Coordinator; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to further address and make recommendations regarding sea level rise. Appropriates funds.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
