HI HR85

Office of Planning directed to develop a plan establishing a state geological survey in Hawaii, in collaboration with Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Department of Transportation, and county planning and emergency management agencies.

Plan must evaluate proposed scopes of work, organizational structures, staff positions with salary levels, funding sources, and enabling legislation needed for the state geological survey.

Hawaii is currently the only state without a geological survey and unable to participate in the federal National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program or receive STATEMAP funds for geologic mapping projects.

State geological survey would consolidate existing functions, unify mapping capability for watershed management and hazard mitigation, and enable Hawaii to compete for federal funding.

Office of Planning must submit findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the Regular Session of 2023, with draft documents submitted by December 1, 2022.