|
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2624 |
|
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to ENVIRONMENTAL impact statements.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION
1. The legislature finds that
transparency is important to the public especially regarding the approval and
permitting processes for construction and other projects that may impact the
environment.
The legislature further finds that the
public is often unaware of a pending project until after the environmental
council has made a decision on an environmental assessment or environmental impact
statement at which point the time for public comments is past.
The legislature also finds that increasing
public participation and awareness of projects prior to acceptance of the environmental
assessment or environmental impact statement will allow the public time to
participate in the process.
The legislature also finds that although
the office of environmental quality control currently has a website that
provides information to the public, the information provided on the site is not
user-friendly. Information is difficult
to locate, and the site does not highlight pending environmental assessments or
environmental impact statements that are currently open for public
comments.
The legislature also finds that public
frustration is increased when there is a lack of opportunity for
participation. Therefore, improving the
office's website and highlighting the projects still open for public comments
will allow the public to participate in the process.
SECTION
2. Section 343, Hawaii Revised Statues, is amended by adding a new section to
be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§343- Environmental Impact
Statement Information Hub.
(a) There is established within the office of environmental quality control,
the Environmental Impact Statement Information Hub, responsible for providing:
(1) Notification of upcoming environmental
impact statement hearings, including dates, times and locations;
(2) Notification of the start and end dates
of each public comment period with a link to provide comments online;
(3) A summary of the nature of the pending environmental
impact statement and;
(4) Shall include information on all State
and County environmental impact statements.
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
2020-2021 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal
year 2021-2022 for the purpose of establishing and maintaining the Environmental
Impact Statement Information Hub.
The
sums appropriated shall be expended by the office of environmental quality control
for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION
4. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION
5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.
|
INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
|
|
|
Report Title:
Office of Environmental Quality Control; Public Records; Environmental Assessments; Environmental Impact Statements
Description:
Establishes the Environmental Impact Statement Hub as a hearing and notification website within the Office of Environmental Quality Control to notify the public of current and upcoming Environmental Impact Statement hearings, public comment periods, and allowing comments to be submitted online. 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.