Bill > HB511

This bill modifies Hawaii's public lands law to remove the requirement for a land survey before public lands can be set aside for use by state departments or agencies. Specifically, the bill adds language to Section 171-11 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes that explicitly states a survey is no longer a prerequisite for transferring public lands between government entities. The bill includes two important provisions: first, that a subsequent survey of the land can be binding if it is ratified by the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the governor, and second, that the State and its departments, agencies, officials, and employees are immune from any legal suits related to land boundaries set aside without a prior survey. The purpose of this change is to expedite the process of allocating public lands between government bodies and conserve government resources by eliminating the potentially time-consuming and costly survey requirement. The bill takes effect immediately upon approval and represents a streamlining of administrative procedures for land management within the state government.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=511&year=2025