HB 589 Summary

• Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish an initial resource land acquisition plan no later than June 30, 2021, as mandated by section 173A-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

• Mandates the department develop and implement written policies, procedures, and internal controls governing grant award and blanket encumbrance processes to prevent missed fiscal deadlines and improper fund borrowing.

• Requires the department to maintain centralized records for all awarded projects (pending, completed, and discontinued) and establish a records retention policy.

• Requires annual reports to the governor and legislature include a record of all transfers of funds to or from department trust accounts holding awards granted to state agencies, along with project status updates.

• Requires the department to develop clear policies and procedures between the legacy land conservation program and division of forestry and wildlife regarding fund distribution, with the forestry and wildlife division required to follow the standard grant application process.