RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

SB756

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

756

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING
TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
.

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

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SECTION 1.
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The
legislature finds that Hawaii's natural resources are among the State's most
precious assets.
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These resources are
vital to the strength of Hawaii's environment, economy, and cultural
heritage.
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Effective conservation
enforcement is critical to safeguard these resources from unlawful exploitation
and degradation.

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The legislature further finds that the department
of land and natural resources' DLNRTip application provides an important
mechanism for citizens to report natural resource violations directly to the
department of land and natural resources.
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However, the legislature also finds that the application has faced
challenges due to inconsistent monitoring, which has led to delayed or no
responses, the loss of critical evidence, and a decline in public trust.
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These shortcomings have hindered the
application's ability to function as an effective enforcement tool.

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The legislature recognizes the increasing
demand for citizen involvement in conservation enforcement.
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Given the extensive scope of natural resource
protection and the limitations of available enforcement personnel, citizen
reporting is essential for bridging enforcement gaps.

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To address these issues, this Act codifies
the DLNRTip application into the Hawaii Revised Statutes and provides critical
resources to increase the application's effectiveness.
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This change will help to ensure that the
department of land and natural resources properly monitors the application and
responds to reports in a timely fashion.
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The resources provided by this Act will also help to enhance the
application's capabilities, establish dedicated staffing, and mandate
comprehensive reporting to the legislature on the application's use and
effectiveness.

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The legislature believes that this Act will
restore public confidence in the DLNRTip application and maximize the
application's potential as a tool to protect Hawaii's natural resources.

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Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

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(1)
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Establish
the DLNRTip application as the official electronic platform for persons to
report natural resource violations to the division of conservation and
resources enforcement;

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(2)
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Establish
statutory requirements regarding the design and maintenance of the DLNRTip
application;

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(3)
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Require
the department of land and natural resources to ensure that all information
submitted through the DLNRTip application is continuously monitored to
facilitate timely enforcement responses;

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(4)
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Require
annual reports to the legislature on the use and effectiveness of the DLNRTip
application; and

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(5)
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Appropriate
moneys to implement and maintain the DLNRTip application and to establish one
full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position to support the operation of the DLNRTip
application.

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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 199, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to
be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

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Part
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.
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DLNRTip Application

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�199-A
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Definitions.
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As used in this
part:

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"Department" means the department
of land and natural resources.

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"Division" means the division of
conservation and resources enforcement.

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"DLNRTip application" means the
mobile application developed by or for the department of land and natural
resources pursuant to section 199-B.

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"Natural resource violations" includes:

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(1)
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The
poaching or harassment of protected wildlife species;

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(2)
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Pollution;
and

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(3)
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Any
other activity prohibited by law or rule that impacts the State's land, water,
flora, fauna, or other natural resources.

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"Report" means text, photographs,
videos, or other evidence submitted to the department through the DLNRTip
application.

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�199-B
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DLNRTip application; natural resource violation reports; designation as
official platform.
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(a)
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The DLNRTip application is established as the
official electronic platform for persons to report natural resource violations
to the division.

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(b)
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The department shall design and maintain the DLNRTip application to
allow persons to submit text, photographs, videos, and other evidence to the
division for the purpose of providing timely and actionable information regarding
potential natural resource violations.

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(c)
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The department shall design the DLNRTip application to allow a person to
report information to the division anonymously.

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�199-C
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DLNRTip application; management and oversight.
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(a)
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The division shall manage and oversee the operation of the DLNRTip
application.

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(b)
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The division shall ensure that information provided through the DLNRTip
application is continuously monitored by qualified personnel to facilitate
timely response by the division.

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(c)
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The department shall adopt policies and procedures to address the:

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(1)
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Processing
of text, photographs, videos, and other evidence submitted through the DLNRTip
application; and

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(2)
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Use
of information submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) to initiate timely
enforcement actions.

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�199-D
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DLNRTip application; annual reports.
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(a)
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No later than twenty days
prior to the convening of each regular session, the department shall submit a
report to the legislature detailing the use and effectiveness of the DLNRTip
application.

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(b)
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The report shall include:

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(1)
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The
total number of reports received through the DLNRTip application during the
preceding year;

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(2)
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The
number of reports that resulted in enforcement actions;

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(3)
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The
average response time between the submission of a report and the resulting
enforcement action; and

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(4)
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Any
other findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation."

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SECTION 3.
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Chapter 199, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by designating sections
199-1 to 199-9 as part I, entitled "General Provisions".

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SECTION 4.
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There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii
the sum of $150,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year
2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal
year 2026-2027 for:

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(1)
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The
implementation and maintenance of the DLNRTip application; and

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(2)
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The
establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position within the
department of land and natural resources to:

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(A)
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Support
the operation of the DLNRTip application;

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(B)
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Monitor
incoming reports submitted using the DLNRTip application;

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(C)
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Coordinate
with enforcement personnel to ensure appropriate and timely responses to
reports submitted using the DLNRTip application; and

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(D)
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Maintain
records of all reports received using the DLNRTip application and any
associated response actions made in response to those reports.

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The sums

appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and
natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION 5.
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If any provision of this Act, or the application thereof to any person
or circumstance, is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other
provisions or applications of the Act that can be given effect without the
invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this Act
are severable.

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SECTION 6.
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In codifying the new sections added by section 2 of this Act, the
revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the
letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.

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SECTION 7.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

DLNR; DLNRTip;
DOCARE; Mobile Application; Conservation Enforcement; Appropriations

Description:

Establishes
the DLNRTip application as the official electronic platform for persons to
report natural resource violations to the Division of Conservation and Resources
Enforcement.
�
Creates statutory
requirements regarding the design and maintenance of the DLNRTip application.
�
Require the Department of Land and
Natural Resources to ensure that all information submitted through the DLNRTip
application is continuously monitored to facilitate timely enforcement
responses.
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Requires annual reports.
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Authorizes 1.0 full-time equivalent
position.
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Appropriates moneys.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.