Bill Text: HI SB2914 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Hydrologic Data Collection.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-01-24 - Referred to WTL, WAM. [SB2914 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-SB2914-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2914 |
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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 hydrologic data collection.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that while climate change and its impacts on water resources underscore the need for increased hydrologic monitoring and research investigations, the commission on water resource management, whose primary function is to carry out surveys, research, and investigations into all aspects of water use and water quality, has faced considerable challenges due to a decline of hydrologic data collection monitoring stations and programs. Hydrologic data, particularly for low-flow conditions, is fundamental to developing reasonable and scientifically-defensible instream flow standards, along with addressing stream-related disputes and complaints. There are an estimated three hundred seventy-six perennial streams statewide, most of which have little to no comprehensive hydrologic data readily available.
The legislature further finds that the Hawaiʻi mesonet is a statewide advanced weather and climate monitoring network of approximately one hundred telemetered stations, now under construction. While climate information has been gathered for over one hundred years by various entities in the islands, the climate-observing network in Hawaii is fragmented, unmanaged, declining in spatial coverage, and inadequate to meet the needs of researchers and the many stakeholders dependent on the data and the research the data supports, including weather forecasting, flood warning, fire warning, emergency management, water resource management, agriculture, ranching, cultural resource protection, ecosystem protection, recreation, research on weather, climate, hydrological processes, ecosystem processes, and many other topics.
The cost of operating and maintaining the Hawaiʻi mesonet and managing and making the data available is estimated to be $500,000 per year, with approximately fifty per cent of that amount derived from federal funds like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Mesonet Program.
The legislature also finds that the commission on water resource management's goal of using a solid and up-to-date foundation of data on water resources, water use, and water dynamics in making water resource management decisions includes collaborating with the University of Hawaii water resource research center in its Hawaiʻi mesonet network of telemetered stations to assist in determining water availability in Hawaii in light of climate change and future changes in precipitation patterns.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to improve the State's understanding of the complex hydrologic systems in Hawaii and provide additional resources for the Hawaiʻi mesonet.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $475,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to improve the State's understanding of the complex hydrologic systems in Hawaii; provided that the funds shall be appropriated as follows:
(1) $125,000 for stream gauges;
(2) $250,000 for operating and maintaining the Hawaiʻi mesonet; and
(3) $100,000 for monitoring wells.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. 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 H.B. No. , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $475,000 or per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. 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 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Commission on Water Resource Management; Hawaii Mesonet; Hydrologic Data; Appropriation; Expenditure Ceiling
Description:
Appropriates funds to improve the State's water resource management and hydrologic data collection.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
