THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	502
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE DIVISION OF CONSERVATION AND RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The department of land and natural resources' division of conservation and resources enforcement enforces the laws under the jurisdiction of the department of land and natural resources.  By so doing, the division serves a vital function to protect, conserve, and manage Hawaii's unique and limited natural, cultural, and historic resources that are held in public trust for current and future generations of visitors and residents.

     The legislature finds that the variety and vastness of the geography and terrain of the various islands are challenging.  Compounding the challenges is the fact that over the years the department of land and natural resources has acquired thousands of acres of new land and numerous statutory and regulatory responsibilities to police, without a commensurate increase in the size of enforcement abilities.  The division of conservation and resources enforcement has been unable to fill vacant officer positions due to a lack of ability to fund start-up costs to support enforcement personnel, including in-service training expenses, operating supplies, office furniture, utility expenses, office furniture, broadband capabilities, and computers and printers.

     The legislature further finds that the lack of sufficient non-personnel operational costs has left the department unable to safeguard officers and enable them to effectively and efficiently enforce laws and regulations, including through the provision of uniforms, body armor, duty gear, telecommunications, training and travel, mobile and portable radios, laptop computers, miscellaneous equipment, rifles and shotguns, emergency lights and sirens, night vision goggles, and vehicle and vessel fuel, oil, maintenance, and repair.

     The purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation to the division of conservation and resources enforcement for personnel services, current expenses, equipment, and motor vehicles.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2015-2016 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for personnel services, current expenses, equipment, and motor vehicles of the division of conservation and resources enforcement.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

 

 

Report Title:

DLNR; Appropriation; DOCARE

 

Description:

Makes an appropriation for personnel services, current expenses, equipment, and motor vehicles of the division of conservation and resources enforcement.  (SD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.