HB 1019 Summary

• Establishes the ocean stewardship special fund to be administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources for conservation, restoration, and enhancement of Hawaii's marine resources.

• Creates a $1 per passenger ocean stewardship user fee on commercial vessels, water craft, and water sports equipment operators with commercial permits, adjustable every five years based on Consumer Price Index (maximum 10% per adjustment).

• Fund revenues include user fees, lease revenues, fines and bail forfeitures for marine violations (with certain exceptions), compensatory mitigation moneys, and grants or donations for marine purposes.

• Requires 20% of gross revenues from user fees and lease revenues to be paid to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as ceded lands revenues.

• Sunsets the special fund and user fee collection on January 1, 2029, with remaining balance lapsing to the general fund; user fee collection begins January 1, 2024.