HI HB1714

Establishes the Hawaii Climate Adaptation Initiative Act to address climate change effects through 2050, focusing on sea level rise impacts as an initial priority.

Creates an interagency climate adaptation committee administratively placed within the Department of Land and Natural Resources, jointly chaired by the board of land and natural resources chairperson and office of planning director, with membership from 14 state agencies and legislative committees.

Requires the committee to develop and publicly release a sea level rise vulnerability and adaptation report by December 31, 2017, identifying major impact areas, expected impacts through 2050, economic ramifications, applicable federal laws, and adaptation recommendations; report must be updated every five years.

Assigns the office of planning responsibility to develop strategic climate adaptation plans and policy recommendations addressing statewide climate change impacts identified in Act 286 (2012) through 2050, with progress reports due by December 31, 2017, and annually thereafter.

Appropriates $108,874 for office of planning staffing and resources, $58,874 for department of land and natural resources staffing, and $400,000 for researching and developing the sea level rise vulnerability and adaptation report for fiscal year 2014-2015.