Bill > SB1164

This bill establishes the Environmental Stewardship Fee Program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), which will require visitors aged 15 and older to purchase an annual license to access Hawaii's state parks, beaches, forests, hiking trails, and other natural areas starting July 1, 2027. The license fee amount is not specified in the bill text, but the legislature suggests $50, with the intention of generating revenue to offset environmental impacts caused by tourism. The program will create an Environmental Stewardship Fee Special Fund that will collect license fees, fines, appropriations, and grants, which will be used to fund projects that protect and restore Hawaii's natural resources, such as restoring marine and terrestrial ecosystems, increasing environmental resilience to climate change, controlling invasive species, and planting native species. The DLNR will administer the fund, with the ability to provide grants to counties and nonprofit organizations for environmental projects, and will be required to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing how the funds have been used to benefit the state's natural resources. The bill also appropriates funds for establishing new positions within the DLNR to support the program and develop a strategic implementation plan.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1164&year=2026