Relating To Sea Level Rise Adaptation.
The legislation mandates the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to create a standardized process for evaluating these vulnerable facilities, thereby ensuring that all state agencies engage in a unified and consistent manner regarding capital planning related to sea level rise. This would ultimately facilitate better preparedness and resource allocation, enhancing the resilience of state-owned infrastructure amidst rising sea levels and increasing flood risks.
House Bill 993 addresses the pressing need for adaptation to sea level rise as driven by climate change within the State of Hawaii. The bill emphasizes the imminent threats that sea level rise poses to public safety, economic stability, and natural environments by mandating a systematic approach to assess the vulnerability of state-owned facilities. Acknowledging the findings from previous reports, it highlights that over 275 state facilities are already at risk due to projected changes in sea levels, which necessitate comprehensive planning and intervention from various state agencies.
Notable points of contention surrounding HB 993 may stem from the implementation of the standardized vulnerability assessment protocol and the associated funding requirements. Critics may argue about the effectiveness and sufficiency of the assessment process, while advocates emphasize the crucial need for such preparedness measures to avert larger disasters in the future. The bill's proposed appropriation of funds for the 2023-2024 fiscal year will be a key element of discussion, as stakeholders will need to assess the financial implications versus the long-term benefits of future-proofing state facilities against climate impacts.