RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.
Summary
SB1084 appropriates general funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to create and support a set of positions within the Division of Aquatic Resources. The bill funds staff focused on permitting and environmental review, emergency environmental response, aquatic invasive species, noncommercial fisheries, and dedicated support for Molokai, including multiple aquatic biologist positions and fishery technician positions.
The bill’s stated purpose is to strengthen the Division of Aquatic Resources’ ability to manage, conserve, and restore Hawaii’s aquatic ecosystems in the face of threats such as invasive species, habitat degradation, pollution, reduced freshwater flow, and disasters. The measure is framed as a staffing and capacity-building appropriation rather than a regulatory overhaul, and it is intended to improve the state’s ability to respond to environmental and fisheries-related needs affecting local communities.
Impact
If enacted, SB1084 would amend state spending authority by appropriating general revenues for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to establish specific full-time positions within DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources. It would not directly change substantive environmental or fisheries statutes, but it would expand administrative and technical capacity for permitting, environmental review, invasive species response, fisheries management, and Molokai-specific field support. The bill is effective July 1, 2050, as drafted in the text, and the appropriations would be expended by DLNR for the listed purposes.
Sentiment
The available legislative history suggests generally favorable sentiment toward the bill. The Senate Water and Land Committee passed the measure with amendments by a 5-0 vote, and the bill was subsequently reported and passed second reading as amended before referral to Ways and Means. The absence of recorded opposition in the provided materials indicates broad support for increasing staffing in the Division of Aquatic Resources.
Contention
The main practical issue appears to be funding: the bill contains blank appropriation amounts, indicating that the exact fiscal commitment was still being negotiated. Because the measure creates multiple positions across several program areas, discussion likely centers on prioritization of limited general funds and whether the staffing levels are sufficient to address statewide aquatic resource needs. The Molokai-specific positions may also be a point of interest for local stakeholders seeking more direct regional support, while others may focus on whether the new positions will meaningfully improve permitting, emergency response, and invasive species management.
(New Title) requiring the executive director of the department of fish and game to adopt rules relative to procedures for verifying accuracy of records collected relative to threatened and endangered wildlife and ensuring landowner permission is granted for the gathering of such record.