Bill Text: HI SB716 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 716 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Coral.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-12-10 - Carried over to 2022 Regular Session. [SB716 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2022-SB716-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	716
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CORAL.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that pollution from land-based sources is a primary cause of coral reef degradation throughout the world. In particular, research shows that raw human waste contain microbes that are responsible for coral diseases, including white pox and black band disease, that are capable of devastating large patches of reef. In recent years, Hawaii has experienced numerous wastewater spills that have released raw sewage into the ocean. These have ranged from an estimated ten thousand gallons in 2016 to five hundred thousand gallons in 2015. The legislature believes that understanding the environmental impacts of wastewater spills is critical to better protecting Hawaii's coral reef ecosystems.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require the university of Hawaii environmental center to conduct ongoing studies of the environmental impacts of sewage spills on affected coral reefs.

SECTION 2. Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to subpart G of part IV to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§304A- Coral reefs; duties of the center. (a) The environmental center shall conduct ongoing studies of the environmental impacts of sewage spills on affected coral reefs. Studies shall include damage evaluations, identification of diseases, and recommendations for mitigating detrimental effects.

(b) The environmental center shall submit an annual report on its findings pursuant to this section to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session. The reports may include proposed legislation."

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 to conduct ongoing studies on the environmental impact of sewage spills on coral reefs.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

UH; Environment; Coral Reefs; Raw Sewage; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the university of Hawaii environmental center to conduct ongoing studies of the environmental impacts of sewage spills on affected coral reefs and submit an annual report to the legislature prior to the convening of each regular session. Appropriates moneys.

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