HB 2718 Summary

• Establishes a full-time climate change and human health adaptation coordinator position within the Hawaii Department of Health to address climate change impacts on human health.

• Coordinator will develop adaptation goals, policies, and guidelines addressing temperature-related illness, air quality, extreme weather, vector-borne diseases, water-related illnesses, food safety, and mental health impacts.

• Coordinator will work with the Office of Planning and relevant state and county entities to update the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan regarding climate change and human health adaptation.

• Appropriates $165,000 from general revenues for fiscal year 2020-2021 to fund the coordinator position (equivalent to Program Specialist VI) and related operating expenses.

• Effective date is July 1, 2020.