Bill > HB1140

This bill addresses the challenges faced by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) in managing homeless encampments on state-owned lands across Hawaii. The legislation provides dedicated funding to help DLNR cover the significant costs associated with cleaning up these encampments, which have been substantial—for example, in fiscal year 2023-2024, the department spent approximately $1,000,000 on a single cleanup near Kalihi stream and expects to spend around $3,000,000 in fiscal year 2024-2025. The bill appropriates an unspecified amount of general state revenues for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to support these cleanup efforts, which involve removing waste, debris, and encampments from various locations including state monuments, wildlife sanctuaries, harbors, and highway lands. Additionally, the bill requires DLNR to include line-item funding for homeless encampment cleanups in its annual budget requests beginning with the 2027-2029 fiscal biennium, ensuring ongoing financial support for these critical maintenance activities that help restore public lands, mitigate potential health hazards, and protect public trust resources.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1140&year=2026