Bill Text: HI SCR127 | 2014 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation; Audit

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-03-24 - The committee on WTL deferred the measure. [SCR127 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-SCR127-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	127
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the state auditor to conduct a management audit of the department of land and natural resources' division of boating and ocean recreation.

 

 

     WHEREAS, the State's small boat harbors and boating facilities are managed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (Boating Division); and

 

     WHEREAS, the proper maintenance and operation of the State's small boat harbors and boating facilities allow people to benefit from the State's natural resources through recreational boating, commercial and personal fishing, and other maritime related operations; and

 

     WHEREAS, residents and visitors use boating facilities to participate in ocean-based activities such as yacht races, canoe regattas, swimming, and surfing competitions; and

 

     WHEREAS, from the early 1990s, the management of state boating facilities has been a recurring problem; and

 

     WHEREAS, in 2000, the Legislature passed H.C.R. No. 165, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, which in part requested the Auditor to investigate existing boating facilities management, operations, and standards, and to report to the Legislature its recommendations as to the feasibility, including the advantages and disadvantages, of transferring the Boating Division from the Department of Land and Natural Resources back to the Department of Transportation; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Auditor found that many facilities needed major repairs and faced permanent closure, which would result in a loss of revenues of almost $100,000 per year; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Auditor also found that many of the problems facing the Boating Division stemmed from poor planning, an insufficient fee structure, paying a disproportionate share of the Department of Land and Natural Resources' enforcement expenses, and funding programs with special fund monies that should be supported by general funds; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Auditor also found the Boating Division lacked adequate controls to ensure the accuracy and integrity of its financial affairs; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Auditor concluded that the deficiencies in the Boating Division needed to be addressed before consideration could be given as to whether it should be transferred back to the Department of Transportation; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Auditor recommended the creation of a strategic plan to address the short term and long term issues facing the Boating Division, such as ensuring proper funding to address repair and maintenance issues; ensuring it receives its fair share of enforcement services; stepping up requirements for boating and mooring permits, certifications, and registrations; and establishing better controls over its financial activities; and

 

     WHEREAS, with the increased demands on the State's small boat harbors and boating facilities, it is important to ensure that the issues previously raised by the 2001 audit have been addressed by the Boating Division; and

 

     WHEREAS, a follow up audit may be necessary to ensure that the Boating Division has resolved its internal issues and is in a position of running the State's small boat harbors and boating facilities in a fiscally responsible manner; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Auditor is requested to conduct a management audit of the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the audit review the Boating Division's current enforcement capacities, identify the strengths and weakness of its current arrangement with the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement, and identify opportunities for change that would address any weaknesses and fortify the strengths of the current arrangement; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the audit review the management of the State's small boat harbors and determine whether it is feasible to keep them open seven days a week; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the audit examine the revenue stream of the Boating Division and provide recommendations on how to fund the Division's deferred capital improvement projects, repairs, and maintenance; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the audit look at best practices from other states or local governments that deal with similar management and capacity challenges as the Boating Division; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2015; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Auditor.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation; Audit