HB 1024 Summary

• Establishes a Marine Life Conservation Special Fund to be administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources for conservation, research, monitoring, and enforcement activities related to marine resources and marine life conservation districts.

• Authorizes the Department to collect nonresident user fees and require permits for entry into marine life conservation districts, with fees deposited into the special fund.

• Fund receives deposits from user fees, permit fees, fines and penalties for violations, compensatory mitigation moneys, and grants or donations for marine conservation purposes.

• Twenty percent of all collected user fees under the special fund must be paid to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as ceded lands revenues.

• Fund expenditures support marine life conservation district operations, public fishing area management, compensatory mitigation measures, and research and educational programs to enhance marine environments statewide.