Bill > HB752

This bill establishes an Environmental Stewardship Fee Program within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to collect a license fee from visitors aged 15 and older who want to visit Hawaii's state parks, beaches, forests, hiking trails, and other natural areas. The program aims to generate funding to protect, restore, and manage natural resources impacted by tourism. Beginning in July 2027, visitors will be required to purchase an annual license, with the fee amount to be determined and potentially adjusted every five years. The bill creates an Environmental Stewardship Fee Special Fund, which will receive revenue from the license fees, fines, a portion of the transient accommodations tax, and other potential funding sources. The collected funds will be used to support projects that restore ecological areas, enhance natural resource resilience, control invasive species, and protect Hawaii's unique environments. The department will have the ability to grant up to 50% of annual revenue to counties and nonprofit organizations for environmental protection projects. The bill also requires the department to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing how the funds have been used to protect and restore natural resources, and includes provisions for hiring additional staff to manage the program.

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https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=752&year=2026