Bill Text: HI SB2021 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Climate Change Task Force; Appropriation

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-02-14 - (S) The committee on ENE deferred the measure. [SB2021 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2012-SB2021-Introduced.html

---

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2021
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the climate change task force.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that global warming poses a serious threat to the economic well-being, public health, natural resources, and environment of Hawaii.  The potential adverse effects of climate change include a rise in sea levels, resulting in the displacement of businesses and residences and the inundation of Hawaii's freshwater aquifers, damage to marine ecosystems and the natural environment, extended drought and loss of soil moisture, an increase in the spread of infectious diseases, and an increase in the severity of storms and extreme weather events.  Climate change will have detrimental effects on some of Hawaii's largest industries, including tourism, agriculture, recreational and commercial fishing, and forestry as well as Hawaii's fragile and unique natural resources.  Accordingly, the State needs to be prepared to understand and respond to the effects of climate change.  While the legislature has taken actions to assess climate change in the past through the creation of the climate change task force pursuant to Act 20, Session Laws of Hawaii 2009, additional strategies need to be further investigated and implemented and more time is needed for the climate change task force to conduct such an assessment.  Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to establish the climate change task force to continue to investigate and address the impact climate change has on the State of Hawaii.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The climate change task force is established within the office of planning, for administrative purposes only.  The task force shall have the following objectives:

     (1)  Scope the current and potential impacts of global warming and climate change on the people, natural resources, and the economy of the State, including impacts on:

         (A)  The visitor industry;

         (B)  Intrastate and interstate air and sea transportation of cargo and persons;

         (C)  Existing buildings and the public utilities infrastructure;

         (D)  The health of the people of the State;

         (E)  Native plants, animals, and ecosystems; and

         (F)  Ground and surface water resources;

     (2)  Scope the potential impacts of rising ocean levels as a result of climate change on the people, natural resources, and the economy of the State, including impacts on:

         (A)  The visitor industry;

         (B)  Shoreline erosion;

         (C)  Intrastate and interstate air and sea transportation of cargo and persons;

         (D)  Existing buildings and the public utilities infrastructure;

         (E)  The health of the people of the State; and

         (F)  Native plants, animals, and ecosystems;

     (3)  Estimate the costs to the State of the adverse effects associated with climate change and rising sea levels; and

     (4)  Make recommendations to the legislature and the governor on measures that would address or mitigate the near- and long-term effects of climate change.  Such measures may include:

         (A)  Protecting against shoreline erosion;

         (B)  Maintaining the visitor industry;

         (C)  Relocating or armoring the transportation infrastructure, such as airports, highways, and ports;

         (D)  Implementing restrictions on construction in areas at risk for sea level rise and inundation;

         (E)  Improving or hardening the public utilities infrastructure, including communication lines, power generation systems, water supply systems, and wastewater treatment and disposal systems;

         (F)  Preparing for health emergencies and impacts to established emergency management systems; and

         (G)  Preserving the health, biodiversity, and resilience of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.

     (b)  The climate change task force shall comprise the following:

     (1)  The director of the office of planning, or the director's designee, who shall act as chairperson;

     (2)  The deputy director of the department of health's environmental health administration, or the deputy director's designee;

     (3)  The director of transportation, or the director's designee;

     (4)  The chairperson of the board of land and natural resources, or the chairperson's designee;

     (5)  The vice-director of civil defense of the department of defense, or the vice-director's designee;

     (6)  One member appointed by each of the mayors of Hawaii, Honolulu, Kauai, and Maui counties;

     (7)  Three members appointed by the president of the senate, of whom one shall be from an environmental organization;

     (8)  Three members appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, of whom one shall be from an environmental organization;

     (9)  The director of the Center for Island Climate Adaptation and Policy at the University of Hawaii at Manoa; and

    (10)  One member from the Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research to be appointed by its administrative board.

     Members of the task force shall be exempt from section 26‑34, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses necessary for the performance of their duties, including travel expenses.

     (c)  The task force shall:

     (1)  Submit a preliminary 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 2013; and

     (2)  Submit a final 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 2014.

     (d)  The office of planning shall provide administrative and clerical support required by the task force.

     (e)  The task force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2014.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $50,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2012-2013 for the purposes of this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of planning for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2012.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Climate Change Task Force; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes the climate change task force to assess the impacts of global warming and climate change trends in the State and appropriates funds for the task force. 

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.