Bill Text: HI SB2755 | 2020 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii Senate Bill 2755 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relating To Pueo Research.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2020-03-09 - Referred to WLH/AGR, FIN , referral sheet 36 [SB2755 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2020-SB2755-Amended.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2755
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO PUEO RESEARCH.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the pueo, or Hawaiian short-eared owl, is an endemic subspecies of short-eared owl, commonly referred to as the "bird of wisdom" and believed to offer guidance and protection. The pueo has a special place in Hawaii's culture and was revered by many ancient Hawaiian families as an �aumakua, or ancestral guardian. As the only native raptors found in Hawaii, the pueo plays an important and unique role in the State's ecosystem. Based on the cultural significance and potential ecological benefits of the pueo in the State, it is important to evaluate the species' conservation status.

The legislature recognizes that pueo on Oahu are currently protected as "endangered" under state law due to their low population numbers. However, a comprehensive assessment of pueo populations on all of the main Hawaiian islands has never been conducted.

Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of land and natural resources to collaborate with the university of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources on a state-wide species assessment of pueo.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of land and natural resources shall collaborate with the university of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources to conduct a state-wide species assessment of pueo populations.

(b) The species assessments shall be conducted in each county in phases, with the next phase to begin immediately upon completion of the previous phase, in the following order:

(1) City and county of Honolulu;

(2) County of Hawaii;

(3) County of Kauai; and

(4) County of Maui.

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 for the hiring of staff, equipment, and dissemination of research necessary for the species assessment of pueo; provided that the moneys appropriated shall include:

(1) $ for vehicles and supplies;

(2) $ for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) lead researcher and one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) technician;

(3) $ for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) volunteer coordinator; and

(4) $ for overhead costs.

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, 2050.

Report Title:

UH; DNLR; Pueo; Study; Species Assessment; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to collaborate with the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources on a state-wide species assessment of pueo populations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

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