Hawaii Senate Bill SB657

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/23
• Refer: 1/25/23
• Report Pass: 2/8/23
• Refer: 2/8/23

Caption

Relating To Climate Equity.

Impact

SB657 appropriates a total of $600,000 from the general revenues of the State of Hawaii, with specific allocations designated for the development of a database and data portal focused on social vulnerability to climate change. This funding will facilitate the creation of a centralized data source to address identified data gaps as detailed in the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission's report. The legislative intent is to empower communities and government agencies to utilize data for informed decision-making related to climate adaptation strategies.

Summary

Senate Bill 657 is a legislative proposal that aims to enhance understanding of the social impacts of climate change across the Hawaiian islands. The bill identifies the need for interdisciplinary interventions as climate change presents dynamic and interrelated challenges that require comprehensive planning and responses. It recognizes that the solutions to these challenges must be informed by understanding how vulnerable populations are affected by climate change, and emphasizes the importance of contextually relevant data to guide interventions effectively.

Contention

The bill underscores a critical concern about siloed climate action efforts that can dilute effectiveness in addressing urgent social vulnerabilities. By enabling better data collection and accessibility through the proposed database and portal, SB657 aims to bridge gaps in understanding and responding to the varied impacts of climate change on different communities. However, there may be discussions among stakeholders regarding the prioritization of funding and the scope of data covered, as well as the mustering of adequate resources for effective maintenance of this data system.