S.B. 828 Summary

• Establishes a Coastal Erosion Proactive Adaptation Plan Task Force within the Office of Planning, chaired by the director, composed of representatives from state agencies, all four counties, and the University of Hawaii system to develop streamlined shoreline permitting procedures.

• Task force must create an advisory group of subject matter experts from public, private, academic, and nonprofit sectors and develop specific deliverables including an e-Permit system strategic plan, education and outreach strategy, and funding recommendations by November 15, 2020.

• Directs task force to study other states' proactive coastal planning systems with goal of reducing permit processing time and cost by approximately 75 percent while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and county environmental rules and best management practices.

• Establishes the Hawaii Next Generation Coastal Zone Managers Program framework to create sustainable jobs and develop place-based coastal zone management experts in fields including coastal geology, archaeology, marine biology, and watershed management.

• Appropriates $750,000 from general revenues for fiscal year 2019-2020 to support task force activities and establish one full-time position in the Office of Planning; task force dissolves June 30, 2021.