Governor Green Signs 16 Bills into Law to Preserve Hawai’i’s Natural Resources and Foster Sustainable Tourism

Hawai’i’s unique natural resources have long been a source of pride and admiration for residents and visitors alike. In recognition of this, Governor Josh Green signed 16 bills into law on Monday, aimed at safeguarding the state’s environment and promoting responsible tourism practices. These bills build upon previous legislation that aimed to protect Hawai’i’s environment, further clean energy legislation, and enact climate mitigation and resilience measures.

Expanding Efforts to Foster Sustainable Tourism Practices

Four of the bills signed into law focused on expanding the state’s efforts to foster sustainable tourism practices. These include:

SB3364 – Creating Action Plans for Tourism Management

Under SB3364, the Hawai’i Tourism Authority (HTA) is required to establish destination management action plans for O’ahu, Maui Nui, Hawai’i Island, and Kaua’i. These action plans aim to enhance visitor experiences, improve natural and cultural resources, develop a sustainable tourism infrastructure, and promote regenerative tourism practices. Collaboration among state agencies, counties, and advisory groups is fostered with a particular focus on preserving and promoting Native Hawaiian culture.

HB2248 – Creating a North Shore Beach Management Plan for O’ahu

HB2248 appropriated $1 million to develop a comprehensive beach management plan on O’ahu’s North Shore. Led by the University of Hawai’i Sea Grant College Program, the plan will address beach erosion, enhance recreational access, and preserve natural habitats through community input and innovative coastal protection strategies.

HB2475 – Regulating Commercial Ocean Activities

HB2475 expands the regulation of commercial ocean activities in Hawai’i’s state waters. The legislation targets illegal operations and unpermitted commercialization promoted on social media, while strengthening enforcement measures under the Department of Land and Natural Resources to safeguard marine resources and public safety.

SB2575 – Prohibiting Seabed Mining in State Waters

SB2575 prohibits seabed mining in Hawai’i’s state marine waters citing environmental risks. It also upholds Hawai’i’s constitutional mandate for a clean and healthy environment. The Act supports sustainable marine resource management while respecting Native Hawaiian cultural connections to the ocean.

Other Healthcare Bills Signed Into Law

In addition to the bills aimed at fostering sustainable tourism practices, Governor Green signed several other bills into law during the session:

HB1861 – Relating to Number Plates

HB1861 requires each number plate issued on or after 1/1/2025 to include an ‘okina in the word “Hawai’i” and authorizes the use of uppercase, lowercase, or initial capital letters for the words “Hawai’i” and “Aloha State” on motor vehicle number plates. Additionally, special number plates for environmental conservation will apply only to electric vehicles, and the design for special number plates for environmental conservation does not require the inclusion of the words “Aloha State”.

SB2182 – Relating to Ocean Stewardship

SB2182 amends the persons required to collect the Ocean Stewardship User Fee and extends the sunset date of the Ocean Stewardship Special Fund to 1/1/2031.

SB2721 – Relating to Ocean Recreation

SB2721 clarifies the penalties for violations of ocean recreation laws.

HB2478 – Relating to the Pacific Marine Fisheries Compact

HB2478 authorizes the Governor to execute a compact on behalf of the State to cooperate in the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and establishes procedures for selection and succession of commissioners from the State of Hawaiʻi.

HB2743 – Relating to Wastewater

HB2743 requires the University of Hawai’i Water Resources Research Center and the Sea Grant College Program to develop an overlay with the Hawai’i Cesspool Prioritization Tool to identify specific priority areas in which the county sewer system or other centralized treatment system may most feasibly be expanded or constructed to reduce or eliminate cesspools before 1/1/2050.

HB2453 – Relating to Water Infrastructure

HB2453 authorizes the Governor or a state official with authorization from the Governor to transfer federal capitalization grant funds between the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund and the Drinking Water Treatment Revolving Loan Fund. It requires the Department of Health to submit an annual report to the Legislature on transfers between the Drinking Water Treatment Revolving Loan Fund and Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund.

HB2467 – Relating to Rent Credits for Demolition and Infrastructure Costs on Public Land Leases

HB2467 repeals the sunset provision of Act 222, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 2021, to permanently allow the Board of Land and Natural Resources to approve rent credits for demolition and infrastructure costs for public land leases.

HB2471 – Relating to Inspections on Public Land

HB2471 establishes a statutory framework for inspections by the Department of Land and Natural Resources of public land subject to certain leases or licenses, including inspections of structures or buildings by third-party inspectors contracted by the Department.

HB1527 – Relating to Veterinary Medicine

HB1527 prohibits animal owners and their employees from performing any surgical procedures on the owner’s pet animal or pet animals and provides that a violation of the prohibition is a misdemeanor. It also clarifies that the offense of cruelty to animals in the first degree does not apply to accepted veterinary practices when the practices are performed by a licensed veterinarian and repeals the exemption of cropping and docking as customarily practiced under the offense of cruelty to animals in the first degree.

HB1554 – Relating to Aquatic Resources

HB1554 expands the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ rulemaking authority to include any rule to impose restrictions or requirements deemed necessary to protect certain aquatic life. It also expands the Board of Land and Natural Resources’ authority to temporarily adopt, amend, or repeal certain natural resource rules by formal action at a publicly noticed meeting if the board finds that such adoption, amendment, or repeal is necessary to implement effective and adaptive management measures in light of newly available technology or data.

HB1922 – Relating to Wildlife

HB1922 expands the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ rulemaking authority to include any rule deemed necessary to protect certain wildlife. Additionally, it expands the Board of Land and Natural Resources’ authority to timely adopt, amend, or repeal certain rules if the board finds that the action is necessary to implement effective and adaptive management measures in response to impacted natural resources or in light of newly available technology or data.

HB2058 – Relating to Dangerous Dogs

HB2058 establishes the offense of negligent failure to control a dangerous dog and provisions regarding the designation of dangerous dogs, requirements for owners of dangerous dogs, and impoundment of dangerous dogs beginning 7/1/2025.

The bills signed into law by Governor Green collectively reinforce the state’s commitment to sustainable tourism practices, environmental conservation, and the preservation of Hawai’i’s unique natural resources. By upholding the state’s constitutional mandate for a clean and healthy environment, we can all continue to enjoy the beauty and wonder that Hawai’i has to offer.

Originally Post From https://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2024/07/09/governor-signs-into-law-16-bills-concerning-hawai%CA%BBis-natural-resources/

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