Requesting The Auditor To Conduct A Comprehensive Management Audit Of The Division Of Boating And Ocean Recreation Of The Department Of Land And Natural Resources.
SCR224 aims to enhance the management practices of the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation by addressing specific areas of concern identified in previous audits conducted as far back as 1993. The requested audit will focus on whether the Division is effectively achieving its operational goals, managing funds appropriately, and utilizing taxes and fees properly for maintenance and improvements of state-run boating facilities. The ongoing neglect and mismanagement have resulted in conditions that not only threaten public safety but also diminish the quality of state resources that support ocean-based activities.
Senate Concurrent Resolution SCR224, introduced in the Thirty-Second Legislature of Hawaii, seeks to address ongoing issues within the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DBOR) under the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The resolution calls for a comprehensive management audit to evaluate the Division's operations, management capabilities, and financial practices, which have been highlighted as problematic in past audits. This initiative comes in response to a long history of mismanagement that has led to deteriorating boating facilities, which now pose threats to public safety, as many of these facilities require significant repairs or face closure.
Several contentious points may arise from the proposed audit. Stakeholders could argue about the adequacy and timelines of resource allocation for the maritime facilities, as well as the potential pushback from local advocacy groups who may feel that the state's focus is not catering to community needs effectively. Given the resolution's requirement for a report to be submitted before the next legislative session, there may be concerns regarding how quickly and thoroughly these issues can be addressed in light of ongoing operational failures.
If enacted, SCR224 will direct the auditor to assess several critical components of the Division's operations, including the effectiveness of past initiatives aimed at improving facility management. This initiative could set the stage for future legislative proposals that aim to reform the structure of the Division and its approach to ocean recreation management, thus allowing for an improved framework that can better match operational practices with the needs of the community and ecological standards.