HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1103
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

making an appropriation for a marine regulation and policy specialist.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the division of aquatic resources within the department of land and natural resources is legislatively mandated to "manage and administer aquatic life and aquatic resources of the State."  The primary way that the division of aquatic resources carries out this mandate is through the adoption and enforcement of administrative rules.  The legislature also finds that aside from being severely understaffed, the division lacks the necessary technical capacity to effectively develop, interpret, and apply the laws that it is tasked with administering.  Specifically, there are no positions designated and adequately equipped to write, review, and amend administrative rules.  As a result, many existing marine resource laws are outdated, ridden with loopholes, difficult or impossible to enforce, and in need of revision.  The legislature also finds that the increase in ocean use necessitates the development of new and innovative regulations.

     The legislature further finds that the establishment of a marine regulation and policy specialist position within the division will fulfill this critical function of drafting, reviewing, and amending administrative rules to better manage and protect the State's marine resources.  The position will also collaborate with the office of the attorney general to provide additional legal support for the division's programs, projects, and activities and will streamline the development and implementation of marine resource management measures.

     The purpose of this Act is to create a position in the division of aquatic resources of the department of land and natural resources to ensure compliance with state and federal mandates and support effective rulemaking and administrative enforcement actions for resource damage.

     SECTION 2.  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 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the establishment of one full time-time equivalent (1.00 FTE) permanent marine regulation and policy specialist position in the division of aquatic resources of the department of land and natural resources to ensure compliance with state and federal mandates and support effective rule-making and administrative enforcement actions for resource damage.

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

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

DLNR; Appropriation; Marine Regulation and Policy Specialist

 

Description:

Appropriates moneys to create a permanent full-time marine regulation and policy specialist position in the division of aquatic resources of DLNR.

 

 

 

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