HB 143 Summary

• Clarifies that the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority shall not apply for conservation district use permits on behalf of or jointly with lessees; each lessee must serve as the applicant for permits required for their leased conservation district lands.

• Transfers regulatory authority over lessee conservation district use permits from the Board of Land and Natural Resources to the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority after July 1, 2028, including approval, denial, and compliance enforcement responsibilities.

• Allows the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority to apply directly to the Board of Land and Natural Resources for conservation district use permits for common improvements and repairs that do not solely benefit a specific lessee.

• Exempts 13 specific conservation district use permits held by the University of Hawaii as of July 1, 2028, from transfer to the Authority; University of Hawaii remains the named permittee subject to Authority oversight.

• Becomes effective upon approval.