[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6349998,"mediaKeyId","2235341-094ce88949c4b7ae132f37e3c490f45c","parentId",2235341,"title","Committee actions: SB 15, SB 19, SB 145, SB 1083 and other measures (Feb. 5 hearing)","audioSeconds",3472,"startMs",76000,"endMs",3548000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2235341-094ce88949c4b7ae132f37e3c490f45c&start=76&end=3548","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2235341-094ce88949c4b7ae132f37e3c490f45c/thumbnail_76000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6349998/Hawaii/Committee-actions-SB-15-SB-19-SB-145-SB-1083-and-other-measures-Feb-5-hearing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6349998-b38ac65c49cc205a03b8ff399359a76c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167701&Signature=DGz1syPFxxEwgg2M4XqxlziiwKqeUlusiIwZce00mDj7WKGJofi5BPgzyBXDCyYCXt560pgcgkEELEvYmUtBs2hAiZJgFEifGHPRT0i14nhw8L4e-KyD0K8eRwqz6Oz5pPRIe5a5sitwaQ3JRFrJoNDP4wy9Th-Ib89dPRXIGJhZJb6VoaERpB4q093VhcU5hVQAPHfSmSSIRal328EdV4zfIGItTsgmw-AXl9kKwcoRwwFC3dokky0txcJ466nl4gKZcLbQqYBl9dGZ1wsHQOm4HSGfw27weL3ALxyUzEGNtSp1B05sjcgjWRc9mponWhEzcBcnA7YetgD9eBX5gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Senate Committee on Water and Land","date","2025-02-01T05:14:43Z","article","At the Feb. 5 hearing, the Senate Committee on Water and Land recorded the following dispositions on measures before it. Where the committee left an appropriation or position count unspecified, the committee noted those items would be blanked or have a defective effective date as recorded in the committee minutes.

Votes and dispositions (committee record):

- SB 15 (historic preservation): Passed unamended; chair recommended pass; record shows five ayes and recommendation adopted.
- SB 19 (DLNR positions, Division of Aquatic Resources): Passed with amendments; committee set a defective effective date of 07/01/2050 and blanked appropriation amounts; recommendation adopted.
- SB 145 (declaration of water shortage): Passed unamended; chair recommended pass; recommendation adopted.
- SB 244 (parrotfish/spearfishing): Deferred after extended testimony and written submissions of support and opposition.
- SB 427 (land leases): Deferred; committee cited existing statutes and BLNR processes and requested further review.
- SB 457 (submerged land reclamation/penalties): Deferred; DLNR said current statutes and board practice are adequate for many cases.
- SB 740 (special permits/monitoring compliance): Passed unamended; chair recommended pass and recommendation adopted.
- SB 839 (aquarium fishing penalties): Deferred; DLNR testified existing tiered penalties and board discretion address many concerns.
- SB 1018 (real estate shoreline disclosures): Deferred; DLNR and Hawaii Realtors discussed existing disclosure forms and oceanfront property addendum.
- SB 1083 (port infrastructure/dredging): Passed with amendments and defective effective date 07/01/2050; committee moved the measure forward with amendments.
- SB 1084 (DLNR positions appropriation): Passed with amendments; defective effective date set and positions/amounts blanked in committee action; recommendation adopted.
- SB 1099 (important agricultural lands): Passed unamended; recommendation adopted.

Why it matters: The committee forwarded a mix of appropriations and policy measures, advancing several bills with amendments (notably infrastructure and DLNR staffing items) and deferring measures that raised contested policy or implementation issues (notably parrotfish protections and lease/land disposition reforms).

Committee note: The committee record indicates further stakeholder engagement or clarification will be sought on deferred items before returning to committee for reconsideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","WTL Public Hearing 02-05-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of committee dispositions for bills heard Feb. 5 by the Senate Committee on Water and Land, including pass, pass with amendments, and deferrals.","taxTitle","Senate Committee on Water and Land, Senate, Legislative , Hawaii","taxId",25739,"location","Hawaii","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6350003,"Committee backs funding plan to restore and prepermit small boat harbors; dredging costs vary by site",745,2687000,3432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2235341-094ce88949c4b7ae132f37e3c490f45c&start=2687&end=3432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2235341-094ce88949c4b7ae132f37e3c490f45c/thumbnail_2687000.jpg","/articles/6350003/Hawaii/Committee-backs-funding-plan-to-restore-and-prepermit-small-boat-harbors-dredging-costs-vary-by-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350003-f09aa949bbe88e30d7034c7a7c431e42/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167701&Signature=ABpbHe58l9GxDXRN5fP18ZB7HUXrMaPbdq6UvHLwgDqhmmyWBGHC54E7-2pTdOTD5oXwySFSAfUn7B1B5S9tLDuMlxU9ydX6Vum65IKY6LCxAHXIjngjwhOwahklhIbCrluKfAIpBkGxXxG-7RTiXWuhtn98MzknKieoFyPcPgD3nlJzxJYvNZMjbW61MuqLx~mVyL8G5oOqflE4hgAucaoCL~rKN0G6yNMbx22wdKbzBCNStp-f1YNs25ztUa4787c~mB0u7ayO53PPskBxivrq55dF-hXtmdFdRtzOer-yReyCDTpGxrMDbAOdcChKveIvm~w6hFxEaJcELH4fkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Water and Land voted to pass SB 1083 on Feb. 5, a bill that makes appropriations to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for maintenance dredging at state small boat harbors, launch ramps and waterways.

Megan Stats, Administrator for the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR), said dredging costs vary widely by site and scope. \"The dredging cost anywhere between 3 to 5,000,000, just depending on how big of a task it really is,\" Stats told the committee, and she gave examples: Pohuiki had costs approaching $9.6 million; Wailoa was about $4.9 million, supplemented with Boating Special Fund monies; Hilo was recently finished. She said smaller projects can cost roughly $2 million.

Stats and other witnesses told senators proactive funding would allow DOBOR to plan design and permitting in advance, rather than reactively seeking capital improvement funds. Senator McKelvey asked whether pre-permitting would streamline federal permitting; Megan Stats and department engineers confirmed that doing design and permitting ahead of need would reduce wait times for dredging work.

The Ocean Tourism Coalition (Denver Gruen) and other industry representatives testified in strong support, describing the bill as a proactive approach that benefits mariners and commercial users. The committee adopted the chair's recommendation to pass SB 1083 with amendments and to attach a defective effective date of July 1, 2050, and the roll call showed the committee voted in favor.

Why it matters: Small boat harbors are vital to local fishing and tourism economies. Regular maintenance dredging supports safe navigation and commerce; the committee advanced a bill intended to give DLNR predictable funding to plan dredging and permitting work more proactively than the current reactive model.","The committee voted to pass SB 1083 with a defective effective date and amendments to fund maintenance dredging at state small boat harbors; DLNR and DOBOR officials told senators dredging costs vary from about $2 million to $9.6 million per project depending on size and debris levels.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6350008,"Committee hears concerns about extending leases on public lands; bill to restrict extensions deferred",2088,1265000,3353000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2235341-094ce88949c4b7ae132f37e3c490f45c&start=1265&end=3353","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2235341-094ce88949c4b7ae132f37e3c490f45c/thumbnail_1265000.jpg","/articles/6350008/Hawaii/Committee-hears-concerns-about-extending-leases-on-public-lands-bill-to-restrict-extensions-deferred","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350008-4cf5d20159d7a46d075d29b5d616fccc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167701&Signature=OcVWoJf77w2WMh2SzGG9Bpi1gtQQeDkEJrUYDxkvZEiE0zI2oNyGzaD20o3xjpVnEiwfLEpZGhJVCMTpUMcB8MWPeMHoJs51LK76yso7WhBOdEOELYa4eQ9~vwIClgI8pR-AeGc-ayBIjY48yK7EYdyxugFJQYwA0vYfDbz2NbrcYqyXRw6C5ZEzlFvSwcaYZKXuvtHSTrUZF1L97P9DvkAAZ9B7lUAvkKbsowtz2QxiLzAsa3Hg~cv7HPm~RE7HaISSRErceC5-lQYjMVwSHYiE0jxWDVZvfRrpBI9rEBO8E6MeCmWWoVk6g1LM-LVHoCnOWYkLERfYgld0wwoGrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Water and Land deferred SB 427 on Feb. 5 after hearing testimony from DLNR Land Division and environmental advocates. The bill would prohibit the state from leasing or extending leases of public lands to individuals, corporations or federal agencies that are in arrears on payments, noncompliant with remediation agreements, or convicted of a crime; it would also require certification by the governor's office for federal leases.

Russell Tsuji, speaking for DLNR's Land Division, said the department submitted comments and believes existing statute and BLNR protocols provide adequate authority to assure lease compliance before extensions are granted. \"Under the leases, we're required to provide official notice to the lessee about the violation and a time to cure, a minimum time to cure by statute,\" Tsuji said, noting that the board has discretion to terminate or extend cure periods.

Environmental advocates urged stricter scrutiny. Dave Volek of Greenpeace Hawaii urged lawmakers to proceed, citing long-term contamination at sites such as Red Hill and other locations where complainants say environmental cleanup has lagged. \"There are a lot of toxic things that have happened ... the military is not cleaning up the messes that they make,\" Volek said, urging the legislature to advance the bill.

Committee members asked DLNR whether the department's existing lease review practices consider environmental cleanup and whether older leases include less protective provisions. Tsuji acknowledged older leases (some dating to the 1960s) may lack modern cleanup language, but said the board generally evaluates compliance and would inform the board of outstanding issues before an extension. The chair recommended deferral, and the committee deferred the measure.

Why it matters: The bill would increase statutory bar to leasing or extending leases to lessees not in compliance and could affect large institutional lessees, including some federal lessees with long-standing leases. Deferral leaves existing board discretion and statutes in place while sending the issue back for further review.","SB 427, which would bar the state from leasing or extending leases of public lands to entities not in good standing with the state (including arrears, noncompliance, or criminal convictions), was deferred after testimony that existing statutes and Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) protocols already address compliance and cure periods.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6350013,"Committee defers bill banning night spearfishing and commercial sale of spearfish; Native gathering rights and reef conservation debated",2588,680000,3268000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2235341-094ce88949c4b7ae132f37e3c490f45c&start=680&end=3268","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2235341-094ce88949c4b7ae132f37e3c490f45c/thumbnail_680000.jpg","/articles/6350013/Hawaii/Committee-defers-bill-banning-night-spearfishing-and-commercial-sale-of-spearfish-Native-gathering-rights-and-reef-conservation-debated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350013-635d2671b7709055620e0d4eadfb8893/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167701&Signature=RtG~xhX9izIWVQlrmuIDtYhdILnFc9qmDH170JUlnm1hospkoh0yalL87fFUvmI6zckrTbLPeVkpBILIwMRfeHIqvPXaBggnpxt6zKzl~rv0Jm-a~GUttRwn18asJJJ0XS-KJc1ALIylk3W57xndacb8wIR3i-lAhR0~5MXgNWvkVEnfwHq7J417OGKEkOYkQLoJlSwsKwXgYJZD13QsDVjxyskSoBfXPP-nKi6Kpfitk3Cd5I7THxsfA32NQNmWXA6nikeqCIt2U~TW2VlIHQufxVWzbaiQ5PJwZ1xJEt-y-VHwlseJep4S9nioRuABzn52U1~YSjOupIaSxNEoAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Water and Land deferred SB 244 on Feb. 5 after extended public testimony and agency comments that highlighted a clash between conservation goals and customary fishing practices.

The bill would prohibit commercial sales of parrotfish taken by spearing and ban spearfishing for parrotfish in state waters after sunset and before sunrise. Ted Bolen of the Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition testified in support, arguing parrotfish are \"very important\" to coral preservation because they eat algae that smothers reefs. \"Parrotfish ... chew up and eat the algae and other things that smother the coral and kill it,\" Bolen said, urging limits on taking parrotfish to protect reef health.

On Zoom, Godfrey Akaka, who said he represents the Native Hawaiian Gathering Rights Association, testified in opposition and framed night diving and spearfishing as customary gathering practices. \"Catching fish and eating fish, preparing fish for our families in our backyard is our traditional and customary practice,\" Akaka said, arguing that night diving is \"a very important form of gathering for people.\" Akaka urged lawmakers to reject the bill.

Other commenters echoed both sides. A testifier identified as Clayton Kubo argued night diving is a valid gathering method and opposed the bill; another speaker, identified as Kim, said the bill would ban a precise traditional method of take and urged management focus on quotas and habitat, not methods. DLNR Administrator Bridal Nielsen said the Division of Aquatic Resources recently completed statewide rulemaking for herbivores, established bag limits and had also adopted a night-spearfishing ban in a specific bay after community concern.

The committee record shows the chair recommended deferral of SB 244. The record notes the bill attracted written support and opposition and further stakeholder engagement was needed.

Why it matters: The debate highlights tensions between reef conservation measures aimed at protecting herbivorous fish that support coral health and protections for customary and traditional gathering rights. The outcome postpones a statewide legislative decision while leaving room for rulemaking and localized management actions.","SB 244, which would prohibit commercial sale of parrotfish taken by spearing and ban spearfishing for parrotfish at night, was deferred after extended testimony that split between reef-protection advocates and fishers citing customary gathering practices.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":44,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":50,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6350018,"Senate committee advances bill narrowing state—historic-property definition",3112,3188000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2235341-094ce88949c4b7ae132f37e3c490f45c&start=76&end=3188","/articles/6350018/Hawaii/Senate-committee-advances-bill-narrowing-statehistoric-property-definition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350018-45f3cf92898a05948e33c3d99d235001/orig.mp4?Expires=1771167701&Signature=oHqwHEcetRmjJyu6Oqdhg2jUPe0e5Q6MpOgMtlBK6yMJ2uXfa1G3WI4EN3DE0ehzQPM0uwfVQHO6zrbBYDGHZfFOkigq7cnLX5r988PGv46WHXr0bh7dwBezhNyU29Mp1hMX8-7-GXnUj6xETXM1SUUVCqiKHFgnIKRMDyMJ0LKpS0kHQC1YjmFIBKH1TDRnFSWA3HgKtcAPMSFRJAoI1WMWhhnV~7uO9p-iz4hUNrOE5mHiwH-iOyz-wjL3u3UMycVYcSXDeYOD6EHxadn9NhgnY4EPW8mx9whHfItcTIqHmr5fzrrQCDmToktu6NUG~PgxRZ2VfSw-KvVrWPQXgw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Committee on Water and Land voted to pass SB 15 on Feb. 5, a bill that narrows the statutory definition of \"historic property\" to those eligible for the Hawaii Register of Historic Places or that have documented importance to Native Hawaiians or other ethnic groups due to associations with cultural practices, beliefs or events.

State Historic Preservation Division Administrator Jessica Puff told the committee she supports the measure and explained how the bill would change review thresholds. \"The current definition of historic property is anything that's 50 years old or older,\" Puff said. \"In this instance, the county can make the determination on whether it's just old or if it actually meets the determination of historic property being that it's eligible for inclusion in the state register.\" Puff said the bill would, in her view, \"tighten[] the definition of historic property, which would limit ... what permits come to SHPD for review.\"

The measure drew comment from Evan Oye on behalf of NIA Hawaii, which said it appreciated the bill's intent but raised concerns that the revised definition could add a layer of review or cause delays for permitting because applicants might seek determinations about eligibility before submitting full permit materials. Oye said an existing backlog at the department is already holding up permits statewide.

Committee members questioned agency staff about workload and implementation. Puff told senators that the change would likely reduce the number of projects required to come to the state for review because age alone would no longer trigger review; a property would also need to meet significance criteria for inclusion in the state register. She added that certified local governments can take on more determinations and that SHPD has increased staffing recently to support that process.

Chair Inouye recommended passage of SB 15 \"as is,\" and the committee adopted the recommendation. The roll call as read in the committee record shows five members present and voting in favor.

Why it matters: The change alters which projects must be submitted to state review, shifting some determinations to counties and aiming to reduce state review of structures that are merely old but not historically significant.","The Senate Committee on Water and Land voted to pass SB 15, which narrows the definition of \"historic property\" for state review, after agency testimony that the change would reduce unnecessary state-level reviews.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee actions: SB 15, SB 19, SB 145, SB 1083 and other measures (Feb. 5 hearing)

Committee backs funding plan to restore and prepermit small boat harbors; dredging costs vary by site

Committee hears concerns about extending leases on public lands; bill to restrict extensions deferred

Committee defers bill banning night spearfishing and commercial sale of spearfish; Native gathering rights and reef conservation debated

Senate committee advances bill narrowing state—historic-property definition