HI HB789

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish and operate aquatic in-lieu fee mitigation programs to restore, create, enhance, or preserve aquatic habitats as compensatory mitigation for required environmental impacts.

Establishes two special funds: the aquatic mitigation banking special fund and the aquatic in-lieu fee mitigation special fund, both administered by the department.

Deposits into these funds include revenues from mitigation credit sales, collected violations and penalties, legislative appropriations, grants and donations, and investment earnings.

Fund moneys are designated for project costs, administrative expenses, scientific monitoring, and personnel payroll related to aquatic mitigation banking and in-lieu fee mitigation programs.

Exempts both new special funds from the state's 5% central service assessment and departmental pro rata administrative expense sharing requirements.