Bill Text: HI HB1621 | 2020 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Climate Change.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-11 - Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) McDermott, Quinlan excused (2). [HB1621 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2020-HB1621-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1621 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1.
The legislature finds that the sea level is rising at increasing rates
due to global warming of the atmosphere and oceans and the corresponding
melting of glaciers and ice sheets. Due
to climate change, Hawaii has experienced over half a foot of sea level rise in
recent decades. According to research
from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, a large part of the heavily urbanized
areas of Honolulu and Waikiki on Oahu are at risk of groundwater
inundation—flooding that occurs as groundwater is lifted above the ground
surface due to sea level rise. The city
and county of Honolulu is expected to begin seeing regular flooding of the
urban core in as little as fifteen years.
The
legislature further finds that, according to the 2018 Hawaii Sea Level Rise
Vulnerability and Adaptation Report, sea level rise, together with projections
of stronger and more frequent El Nino events and tropical cyclones in
surrounding waters, indicate a growing vulnerability to coastal flooding and
erosion for the State. As sea level rise
continues accelerating and seas become warmer, the potential impact of a severe
disaster grows, and it will be only a matter of time before a significant
disaster will impact the State's shoreline communities. A direct hit on urban Honolulu by a major
hurricane is estimated to result in a loss of $40,000,000,000 to the State's
infrastructure and economy. The loss of
coastal property and infrastructure, increased cost for storm damage and
insurance, and loss of life are inevitable if nothing is done, which will add
significant burden to local taxpayers, the State's economy, and Hawaii's way of
life.
The legislature also finds that a
comprehensive plan, with input and support from shoreline communities, to
protect the State's urban shorelines is likely to take over a decade to develop
and implement. New York City only began
planning for a comprehensive shoreline protection pilot project to prevent
future flooding after the city experienced a $19,000,000,000 loss from storm
surge flooding from Hurricane Sandy in 2012. As such, it is urgent and prudent that the
State begin planning for shoreline protection from climate change now.
Finally, the legislature finds that while
many coastal communities are exposed, urban Honolulu's shoreline will be the
most challenging to protect. By first
establishing a comprehensive shoreline protection pilot project for urban
Honolulu and creating a shoreline buffer to reduce the risk and impact of
coastal disaster events, this can serve as a model for engaging all neighborhoods
in the discussion of protecting communities from climate change, while allowing
residents opportunities to expand park space, redevelop the urban landscape,
and add amenities to enrich their communities.
The purpose of this Act is to establish the
Honolulu shoreline climate protection pilot project to
require the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission to
develop a comprehensive plan to protect urban Honolulu and its shoreline from
the impacts of climate change, with the goal of using the plan as a model to protect
the State's shorelines from coastal disaster events.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the department of
land and natural resources for administrative purposes the Honolulu shoreline
climate protection pilot project.
(b)
Under the pilot program, the Hawaii climate change mitigation and
adaptation commission shall develop a coastal protection plan for the low-lying
topography of urban Honolulu between the Daniel K. Inouye Honolulu
International Airport and Diamond Head State Monument. The plan shall designate in the low-lying
topography of urban Honolulu different protection compartments. Each protection compartment shall:
(1) Provide a physically separate flood-protection zone, isolated from flooding in the other compartments;
(2) Provide opportunities for integrated social and community planning processes;
(3) Be connected by a continuous shoreline pathway which may be used for emergency access along the length of the shoreline;
(4) Be built into shoreline parks and the urban landscape;
(5) Be tailored to respond to individual neighborhood topography; and
(6) Be capable of self-reliance in the event that the compartment becomes isolated from another due to climate change.
(c) The Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission may partner with the city and county of Honolulu office of climate change, sustainability and resiliency in the development of the plan required pursuant to subsection (b).
(d) The Hawaii climate change mitigation and
adaptation commission shall submit a report to the legislature on the status of
the development of its coastal protection plan pursuant to subsection (b),
including any findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation, no later
than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2021.
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 Honolulu shoreline climate protection pilot project; provided that no funds shall be released unless half the sum appropriated is matched by the city and county of Honolulu.
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, and shall be repealed on June 30, 2022.
Report Title:
Coastal Disaster Planning; Shoreline Climate Protection Pilot Project; Appropriation
Description:
Establishes the Honolulu Shoreline Climate Protection Pilot Project. Requires the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to develop a comprehensive plan to protect urban Honolulu from the risk of coastal disaster events. Anticipates use of the plan as a model for the State. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2022. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
