Report Title:

State Parks; Transfer to Counties; Feasibility Study

Description:

Creates an advisory task force to study the feasibility of transferring state parks to the counties and to develop an action plan to substantially improve state parks maintenance and upkeep. Requires DLNR's chair to submit a report of recommendations and implementing legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the convening of the 2004 regular session. (SD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

39

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to parks.

 

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

SECTION 1. Transfer of state parks to county control; feasibility; advisory task force. (a) There is established within the governor's office for administrative purposes an advisory task force to study the feasibility of transferring state parks to the counties and to develop an action plan to substantially improve state parks maintenance and upkeep. The governor shall convene the task force within thirty days after the effective date of this Act.

(b) The advisory task force shall be composed of:

(1) The chairperson of the board of land and natural resources, or a designee, who shall serve as the chairperson of the task force;

(2) The four county directors having jurisdiction over parks and recreation, or their designees;

(3) A designee appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives;

(4) A designee appointed by the president of the senate; and

(5) One park user from each of the four counties, appointed by their respective mayors.

(c) In carrying out its duties under this section, the advisory task force may request staff assistance from the state department of land and natural resources and other appropriate state and county executive agencies.

(d) The members of the advisory task force shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for expenses, including travel expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.

(e) The advisory task force shall have the following functions and duties:

(1) Determine the feasibility of transferring state parks to the counties;

(2) Identify the total amount of funding needed to improve parks maintenance at both state and county levels;

(3) Develop and recommend an action plan, a timetable, and funding levels and sources to effectuate the transfer of the functions and funding relating to the state parks to the counties, if appropriate;

(4) Develop a timetable for the proposed transfer that would be the most cost effective for both the State and counties and that would provide an optimum level of services to public users;

(5) Consider and review all relevant appropriations for specific parks projects that would be affected by the proposed transfer to the counties;

(6) Consider and review all relevant contracts relating to state parks that would be affected by the proposed transfer to the counties;

(7) Consider and review all relevant federal and state funds and assess how the proposed transfer to the counties would affect each funding source;

(8) Consider and review all relevant state statutes and county ordinances relating to state and county parks and related areas for possible amendment; and

(9) Consider and review any other relevant issues to be addressed in any transfer of responsibility of the state parks system under chapter 184, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the counties.

SECTION 2. The chairperson of the board of land and natural resources shall submit a report, including recommendations and implementing legislation, from the advisory task force to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2004 regular session.

SECTION 3. The advisory task force shall be dissolved on June 30, 2004.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.