HI HB2409

Establishes the Hawaii Geological Survey at the University of Hawaii at Hilo to encourage full development of the State's natural resources for the benefit of Hawaii citizens.

Assigns the Survey responsibilities including conducting geological and hydrogeological surveys, discovering and preserving water, mineral, and energy resources, managing the state geological sample collection, and cooperating with federal agencies on mapping.

Creates the position of State Geologist as director of the Survey, appointed by the Board of Regents, requiring at minimum a master's degree in geology and professional experience in earth sciences and natural resource management.

Removes the State Geologist designation from the Geophysics and Planetology Institute, retaining only the State Volcanologist position there.

Appropriates an unspecified sum from general revenues for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish and operate the Hawaii Geological Survey, effective July 1, 2026.