Hawaii Senate Bill SCR160

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24

Caption

Authorizing The Sale Of One Or More Leases Of Submerged Lands At State Small Boat Harbors.

Impact

The bill is anticipated to have a profound impact on state laws that govern the leasing of submerged public land, enabling a system that potentially increases revenue and user satisfaction at small boat harbors. It comes in response to approximately $300 million in deferred maintenance within the Small Boat Harbor Program, with the hope that leasing submerged lands will help address these substantial financial shortfalls. The proposed legislation allows leases of up to 65 years, offering long-term stability for private management and development.

Summary

SCR160 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution authorizing the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) to lease state submerged lands at one or more small boat harbors for private development, management, maintenance, and operation. This move aims to enhance the operational efficiency of the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR), which has been struggling under significant funding limitations and outdated management practices. By enabling the leasing of submerged lands, the bill seeks to shift some responsibilities to private entities, allowing DOBOR to refocus its resources on administering the Ocean Recreation Management Program, which has faced similar challenges due to underfunding.

Contention

While proponents celebrate the potential for increased efficiency and the alleviation of administrative burdens on DOBOR, opponents may express concerns about the privatization of public resources. There are apprehensions regarding the potential for reduced public access to these maritime areas and whether private management will prioritize profit over public interest. Additionally, given that the majority of DOBOR’s resources have historically been diverted from the Ocean Recreation Management Program, stakeholders may question the bill’s effectiveness in genuinely improving conditions for ocean recreation activities and addressing safety concerns that have arisen from resource misallocation.