HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2117
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to federal lands.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  (a)  There is established within the department of land and natural resources for administrative purposes a Makua valley task force to prepare for the transition of the management of the Makua military reservation from the United States Army when General Lease No. S-3848 expires.

     (b)  The Makua valley task force shall consist of the chairperson of the board of land and natural resources, or the chairperson's designee, and a member of the board of trustees of the office of Hawaiian affairs, or the board's designee, who shall invite the following persons to be members of the task force:

     (1)  A representative of the legislature;

     (2)  A representative of families who were evicted from the Makua valley reserve or whose lands in the Makua valley reserve were condemned by the federal government;

     (3)  A representative of the aha moku advisory committee;

     (4)  Three representatives, each representing a different non-profit organization, with expertise on Makua valley; and

     (5)  A representative selected from a list provided by native Hawaiian organizations.

     The task force shall also invite the commanding officer of the United States Army Pacific, or the commanding officer's designee, to serve as a military representative.

     (c)  The members of the task force shall elect a chairperson from among themselves.

     (d)  In preparing for the transition of the management of the Makua military reservation from the United States Army, the task force shall enter into discussions with the United States Army to:

     (1)  Facilitate the expedient return of the Makua valley reserve upon the expiration of the United States Army's lease;

     (2)  Ensure the clean-up of unexploded ordnance; and

     (3)  Ensure the expansion of opportunities for cultural access.

     (e)  The task force shall base its plans and policies for transition on the goal of transferring the lands currently held by the United States Army under General Lease No. S-3848 to the State, which shall:

     (1)  Hold the lands in trust as part of the public land trust; and

     (2)  Transfer management and control of the lands to the sovereign native Hawaiian entity upon its recognition by the United States and the State.

     (f)  The members of the task force shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in carrying out their official duties.

     (g)  The task force shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2025.

     (h)  The task force shall cease to exist six months after the August 16, 2029, expiration of the United States Army's lease for the Makua military reservation under General Lease No. S-3848.

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Federal Lands; Makua Valley; Transition; Mauka Military Reservation; Task Force; DLNR

 

Description:

Establishes within the Department of Land and Natural Resources a Makua Valley task force to prepare for the transition of the management of the Makua military reservation from the United States Army upon the expiration of the Army's lease for the land.  Requires a report to the Legislature.

 

 

 

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