HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	460
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

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 Pacific islands region is experiencing dangerous climate change.  Currently, the most vulnerable areas include human and natural communities in low islands, nearshore and coastal areas, and coral reefs.  Some of the most imminent and alarming concerns include:

     (1)  Freshwater supplies that will be more limited on many Pacific islands as the quantity and quality of water in aquifers and surface catchments change in response to warmer, drier conditions coupled with increased occurrences of saltwater intrusion;

     (2)  Rising sea levels that will increase the likelihood of coastal flooding and erosion, damaging coastal infrastructure and agriculture, negatively impacting tourism, reducing habitat for endangered species, and threatening shallow reef systems; and

     (3)  Higher sea-surface temperatures that will increase coral bleaching, leading to a change in coral species composition, coral disease, coral death, and habitat loss.

     The legislature also finds that some of these changes to the environment are now unavoidable and require some degree of planning and adaptation.  However, some of these changes can still be greatly mitigated, if not prevented altogether, but it requires innovation, collaboration, and hard work.  A comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of alternative adaptation strategies is needed to refine planning and management decisions.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the lieutenant governor to convene and chair a climate change roundtable to enhance the State's resilience to the myriad changes already occurring and those yet to come.

     SECTION 2.  Section 26-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:

     "(d)  In addition to the functions and duties provided by law, the lieutenant governor shall [assume]:

     (1)  Assume administrative responsibility for the office of information practices[.]; and

     (2)  Convene and chair a climate change roundtable."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Office of the Lieutenant Governor; Climate Change Roundtable

 

Description:

Requires the Lieutenant Governor to convene and chair a climate change roundtable.

 

 

 

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