Report Title:

Diamond Head State Monument; Special Fund; GO Bonds

Description:

Creates the Diamond Head state monument special fund. Authorizes issuance of general obligation bonds in the amount of $2.5 million for the planning, design, and construction of a Diamond Head state monument interpretive center.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1683

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to the diamond head state monument.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Diamond Head is a world-famous landmark, representing Hawaii to millions of people throughout the world. In recognition of Diamond Head's wealth of information about Hawaii's geology, plants, and ancient Hawaiian culture, the legislature adopted Act 104, Session Laws of Hawaii 1976, to establish a Diamond Head state monument as an historical site on Oahu. Subsequently, the Diamond Head state monument plan of 1979 established a state policy of establishing a semi-wilderness park with minimal enhancement to Diamond Head. The Diamond Head Citizens Advisory Committee was formed in 1977 to advise the department of land and natural resources on the preservation and management of Diamond Head. In 1992, the legislature adopted Act 313, reaffirming the recognition of Diamond Head crater as a natural landmark by the federal government and a state monument by the State of Hawaii.

The legislature further finds that over one million visitors annually visit Diamond Head. This high level of public use requires a permanent program to maintain the fragile environment of the Diamond Head state monument area.

Currently, the state parks special fund receives, among other moneys, park user fees collected by the state parks programs and expended for: planning and development of state parks programs; construction, repairs, replacement, additions, and extensions of state parks facilities; parks operation and maintenance; and administrative costs, including staff positions. Because Diamond Head receives more visitors than other state parks, Diamond Head state monument park user fees essentially subsidize other state parks. Accordingly, a separate fund is necessary to ensure that the Diamond Head state monument receives the necessary funds to preserve and protect the Diamond Head state monument as a historical and cultural natural resource for future generations.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a special fund to be expended for the protection and preservation of the Diamond Head state monument and to authorize issuance of general obligation bonds for the planning, design, and construction of a Diamond Head state monument interpretive center.

SECTION 2. Chapter 6E, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§6E-A Diamond Head state monument special fund. (a) There is established within the state treasury a fund to be known as the Diamond Head state monument special fund, into which shall be deposited:

(1) All proceeds collected by the state parks programs involving user fees and any leases or concession agreements involving Diamond Head state monument, the sale of any article purchased from the department to benefit the Diamond Head state monument, or any gifts or contributions; and

(2) Funds appropriated by the legislature, donations, and grants.

(b) The department of land and natural resources shall expend the moneys from the special fund for the following purposes:

(1) Planning and development of the Diamond Head state monument, including the interpretive center;

(2) Construction, repairs, replacement, and additions of Diamond Head state monument;

(3) Operation and maintenance of Diamond Head state monument; and

(4) Funding educational programs relating to the Diamond Head state monument."

SECTION 3. The director of finance is authorized to issue general obligation bonds in the sum of $2,500,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for fiscal year 2003-2004 for the purpose of planning, design, and construction of a Diamond Head state monument interpretive center.

SECTION 4. The appropriation made for the capital improvement project authorized by this Act shall not lapse at the end of the fiscal biennium for which the appropriation is made; provided that all moneys from the appropriation unencumbered as of June 30, 2006, shall lapse as of that date.

SECTION 5. The sums appropriated for the capital project set forth in section 3 shall be deposited into the Diamond Head state monument special fund and expended by the designated expending agency for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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