S.B. 3192 Summary

• Establishes a visitor impact fee program requiring visitors aged 15 and older to pay a fee and obtain a license before accessing state parks, beaches, state-owned forests, hiking trails, and other state-owned natural areas.

• Creates the Environmental Legacy Commission within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to oversee allocation of visitor impact fee revenues to protect, restore, and enhance Hawaii's natural resources.

• Establishes the visitor impact fee special fund to receive fee revenue and fines, with moneys used for environmental restoration projects, climate resilience initiatives, invasive species control, and commission operations.

• Limits grants to local governments and nonprofits to a specified percentage of annual allocations and requires grant recipients to meet licensing, experience, and compliance requirements.

• Effective date: July 1, 2050 (the bill includes blank spaces for specific fee amounts and appropriation figures).