S.B. No. 923 - DLNR Operating Appropriations

• Appropriates funds for the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) operating expenses for fiscal biennium July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021, with total amounts specified for each program and fiscal year.

• Adds 1 temporary Climate Change Coordinator position ($65,000 salary plus $40,000 other; $100,000 planning funds) to Public Lands Management program.

• Changes funding source from federal funds to general funds for multiple forestry and wildlife positions across Resource Management, Native Resources/Fire Protection, and Forest/Outdoor Recreation programs.

• Adds 10 permanent positions for invasive species removal in forests per Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan, with $172,368 in operating expenses; adds funds for fire/emergency response ($300,000), rapid ohia death response ($500,000), and Hawaii Invasive Species Council ($972,000).

• Converts 12 temporary Community Fisheries Enforcement Unit positions to permanent, adds 1 permanent Program Specialist IV position for DCRE operations, adds $1,546,456 for county lifeguard service contracts, and adds 1 temporary Cultural Resource Project Coordinator position ($53,000 salary plus $100,000 other operating expenses).