Relating To The Environmental Advisory Council.
The proposed amendment will clarify the roles and responsibilities of the environmental advisory council, providing a clear framework for how it interacts with the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development. Specifically, the council will continue to serve as a liaison to solicit public input regarding environmental concerns and make recommendations related to ecology and environmental quality. This continuity supports the state's commitment to environmental stewardship and ensures that public voices are part of the decision-making process regarding ecological issues.
House Bill 185 is a legislative proposal aimed at amending section 341-6 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, which concerns the functions of the environmental advisory council. This bill is a housekeeping measure intended to remove references to sections that were repealed as a result of Act 152, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021. The primary objective of the bill is to ensure that the environmental advisory council's functions are accurately reflected in state law following changes made by previous legislation.
While the bill is primarily a technical amendment, it underscores the ongoing efforts to integrate public engagement into environmental governance. There may be some discussions regarding how effectively the council can perform its functions and whether these amendments provide the necessary authority and resources to address complex environmental challenges. Additionally, any resistance toward the realignment of the advisory council's functions due to perceived bureaucratic inefficiencies could be noted, but overall, the bill is expected to pass without significant contention.