THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1350

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii is experiencing a climate emergency.  Climate change impacts are being felt statewide and have long-term threats to the State's economy, sustainability, environment, security, culture, and way of life.  Successful mitigation and adaptation of climate change requires both comprehensive study and action to address the impacts of climate change.

     The 2017 Hawai‘i Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report estimated the lost value of flooded structures and land at over $19 billion.  The legislature finds that Hawaii needs to invest in climate action now to address these and other costs of climate change as soon as possible.  Climate change action may include looking at the resiliency of the power grid, renewable energy resources, sustainable transportation systems, land use planning, sea level rise, health, natural and cultural resources, sustainable tourism, hazard vulnerability and mitigation, social vulnerability, economic resilience, and climate equity and justice.  The breadth of the impact of climate change is such that comprehensive and coordinated efforts need to be undertaken.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to address the impacts of climate change and mitigate further impacts on the State through education, carbon sequestration, and resiliency planning and implementation.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $80,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 for the purposes of carrying out the operations of the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.   SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $20,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 to transfer moneys to the sea level rise voluntary relocation fund to carry out the purposes of the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

 

 

Report Title:

Climate Change; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to address impacts of climate change and to mitigate further impacts on the State through carbon sequestration and resiliency planning.  Allocates funds to the sea level rise voluntary relocation fund. (SD1)

 

 

 

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