HB 1051 - Visitor Green Fee Program

• Establishes a visitor green fee program administered by the board of land and natural resources requiring visitors age 15+ to pay a $50 fee and obtain a license before accessing designated state-owned parks, beaches, forests, trails, and recreational areas.

• Creates the visitor green fee special fund to receive all revenues from license sales, fines, and appropriations, with funds used for natural resource protection, restoration, and program administration.

• Establishes the environmental legacy commission with ex officio members from state agencies and appointed representatives from environmental organizations, Native Hawaiian cultural experts, and the private sector to recommend how revenues are spent.

• Authorizes allocation of special fund revenues (up to 50% annually) as grants to nonprofit organizations and local governments for projects offsetting visitor impacts, including habitat restoration, climate resilience, and invasive species control.

• Civil fines for violations without a valid license effective July 1, 2028; appropriates $3 million for fiscal year 2023-2024 for fund establishment, $3 million for the commission and strategic plan, and $250,000 for three new staff positions.