Bill Text: HI SB2163 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To The Green Jobs Youth Corps.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-18 - Referred to WTL, WAM. [SB2163 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-SB2163-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2163 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE GREEN JOBS YOUTH CORPS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature also finds that the State of Hawaii has set ambitious goals in the areas of economic diversification, environmental management, and energy self-sufficiency. An important element of reaching the set goals is investing in a workforce that is both skilled and experienced in sustainability-related professions.
The legislature further finds that the Civilian Conservation Corps was a work relief program created in 1933 to employ Americans during the Great Depression through conservation projects of local, state, and national benefit, providing opportunities for displaced young adults. The State of Hawaii established the Hawaii youth conservation corps, a program that provides young individuals with opportunities in conservation on a smaller scale. This program currently operates within the policies set out under chapter 193, Hawaii Revised Statutes. In Hawaii, and nationwide, the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps continues through local and state service and conservation corps, especially those accredited under the national corps network.
The legislature also finds that during the regular session of 2020, the legislature passed Act 9, Session Laws of Hawaii 2020, which used funds designated for the State by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act to establish a workforce and training program that, among other accomplishments, funded a short-term green jobs program in partnership with the Hawaii-based nonprofit organization Kupu. Under the Kupu Aina Corps, over three hundred fifty displaced workers and recent graduates were matched with work and training opportunities across the State. Kupu's partnership with conservation and agriculture host sites enabled individuals to work in their own communities while also giving back to Hawaii's economy and environment.
The legislature additionally finds that in 2021, the legislature passed Act 181, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, designating the department of land and natural resources to administer the State of Hawaii's green jobs youth corps and providing funding for the administration of this program. In 2022, the legislature amended the requirements for the program and provided additional funding through Act 33, Session Laws of Hawaii 2022.
In addition to addressing unemployment among youth and young adults, the legislature finds that the green jobs youth corps is an important part of the State's strategy to diversify the economy and reach its environmental and energy self-sufficiency goals. The program invests in building the human capital of young adults who are interested in working in sustainability-related professions.
Lastly, the legislature finds great value in the continuation of the green jobs youth corps, which requires additional funding.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for the continuation of the green jobs youth corps.
SECTION 2. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:
(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and
(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.
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 2024-2025 for the green jobs youth corps; provided that notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the department of land and natural resources and its partner or partners may obtain and utilize federal or other outside funding for the purpose of matching state funds provided for the green jobs youth corps.
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, 2024.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
DLNR; Green Jobs Youth Corps; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the continuation of the Green Jobs Youth Corps.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
