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HCR 149

House concurrent resolution commemorating the 175th anniversary of the Bennington Fire Department

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Seth Bongartz and 5 co-sponsors

HCR 149 directs DLNR to convene a multi-stakeholder group to study, plan, and recommend steps for designating Volcano, Hawaii as a biosphere area, with a 2026 report.

Adopted pursuant to Joint Rule 16b
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Bill Summary · HCR 149

Summary — HCR 149 (2025)

Title: Requesting DLNR to convene a working group to assess environmental and conservation initiatives needed to transition Volcano, Hawaiʻi, into a biosphere area

Status: Concurrent resolution — adopted by the Legislature and signed (Governor, 2025-06-20). Companion: HR 143. Sponsors: Amato, Kapela, Poepoe, Perruso.

Purpose / intent

HCR 149 asks the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to convene a multi‑stakeholder working group to assess what environmental and conservation actions would be needed to transition the Volcano, Hawaiʻi area into a designated biosphere area that promotes environmental sustainability, community well‑being, and that complements the neighboring Hawaiian Islands Biosphere Reserve (which includes Hawaiʻi Volcanoes and Haleakalā National Parks). The resolution arises from concerns about invasive species, Rapid ʻōhiʻa Death, ungulate impacts, declining native plants, and forest loss in the Volcano community.

Key provisions

  • Requests DLNR to convene and administratively support a working group charged to:
    • Conduct a literature review of existing studies on Volcano’s environment, natural resources, and socioeconomic conditions.
    • Develop best practices for native ʻōhiʻa forest stewardship that inform sustainable development, land use, green infrastructure, and water resource management.
    • Develop a community engagement strategy to increase local education and awareness of environmental issues.
    • Create a monitoring and evaluation system to track progress of conservation initiatives.
    • Identify potential buffer zones and conservation easements to support ʻōhiʻa forest preservation and sustainable development.
    • Determine the scope of actions and initiatives appropriate for a biosphere area.
  • Membership (final adopted text): prescribed state leads (including Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources or designee as Chair), state agencies (Dept. of Agriculture, UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience), the State Representative (House District 5) and Senator (Senate District 3), and a broad set of invited federal, county, nonprofit, community and private entities (e.g., USDA NRCS and Forest Service, County of Hawaiʻi departments, Volcano Community Association, Volcano Art Center, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, National Park Service, Kamehameha Schools, Hawaiʻi Land Trust, Hawaiʻi Island REALTORS).
  • Reporting and timeline:
    • Working group to submit a report with findings and recommendations (including any proposed legislation) to the State Legislature and the Hawaiʻi County Council no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the 2026 Regular Session.
    • The working group is set to cease existing on June 30, 2026.
  • Administrative: DLNR is requested to provide necessary administrative support and drafting assistance for the report.
  • Transmittals: certified copies of the resolution to be sent to listed federal, state, county, and community recipients.

Who is affected / potential impacts

  • Directly affected: DLNR (administration of working group); participating state, county, federal, nonprofit, community and private stakeholders named for invitation or participation.
  • Potential downstream effects: recommendations could prompt new state or county legislation, conservation easements, land‑use practices, funding requests, community programs, and coordinated efforts to address Rapid ʻōhiʻa Death, invasive species, ungulates, and native forest recovery. The resolution itself does not appropriate funds or create regulatory requirements — it is a formal request for study, planning, and recommendations.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced: May 13, 2025. Committee review and amendment (HD1) occurred in spring 2025. Adopted by both chambers in late May/early June 2025 and signed June 20, 2025.
  • Deliverable deadline: report due 20 days before the 2026 Regular Session; working group terminates June 30, 2026.

This resolution is advisory and facilitative: it creates a time‑limited planning body to evaluate steps toward a community‑scale biosphere designation and to recommend policy or legislative actions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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