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Bill

GM 1191

Informing the Legislature that on June 5, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2361 HD1 SD1 CD1 (ACT 091).

2026 Regular Session

Creates and formalizes the seven-member Kaneohe Bay Regional Council under DLNR with rotating chair, quarterly open meetings, and clarified governance.

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Bill Summary · GM 1191

Summary of Bill: HB2361 CD1 (ACT 091) — Kaneohe Bay Regional Council

Purpose

  • Establishes and reorganizes the Kaneohe Bay Regional Council within the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) for administrative purposes.
  • Aims to formalize structure, meetings, and leadership selection related to Kaneohe Bay resources and management.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Council Establishment and Administration (Section 1)

    • Creates the Kaneohe Bay Regional Council within DLNR for administrative purposes.
    • Replaces the prior arrangement where the DLNR provided administrative support to the council; under the bill, the council is explicitly empowered to have its own governance structure while DLNR may still be involved for administrative context.
    • Membership:
    • The council shall be composed of seven voting members appointed by the Governor according to section 26-34.
    • Ex officio nonvoting members to be included as provided in subsection (c) (details not included in the text excerpt).
    • Members serve without compensation.
    • Chairperson: The chairperson is the administrator of the Aquatic Resources Division (or equivalent wording) selected by the voting and nonvoting members from among all council members on an annual, rotating basis.

  • Meetings and Operations (Section 2)

    • Revisions to meeting provisions: The council shall schedule and conduct meetings quarterly, in alignment with chapter 92 (the Hawaii Open Meetings Law), replacing unspecified prior language about meeting frequency.

  • Statutory Revisions (Section 3)

    • Repeals and replacements of specific statutory language are indicated, with new material underscored and old material bracketed/struck through (per standard Hawaii drafting conventions). The exact brackets/strikethroughs are not reproduced in this summary, but the effect is to update governance language and meeting requirements.

  • Effective Date (Section 4)

    • Takes effect upon approval (i.e., June 5, 2026, when Governor signed ACT 091).

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • State Government and DLNR: The DLNR remains the parent department but shifts to a more defined administrative framework for the Kaneohe Bay Regional Council, with explicit roles and responsibilities for administration and leadership selection.
  • Kaneohe Bay Interests: Local stakeholders, researchers, resource managers, and regulatory participants related to Kaneohe Bay would engage with a formalized seven-member council with rotating leadership and quarterly meetings.
  • Public Access and Transparency: The council’s quarterly meetings align with standard open meetings requirements, promoting transparency in Kaneohe Bay regional governance.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Effective Date: Act takes effect upon approval (June 5, 2026).
  • Implementation: The bill outlines the structure and meeting cadence; subsequent administrative actions would include appointing the seven voting members and establishing the nonvoting ex officio members per the statute (details not fully enumerated in the provided text).
  • Administrative Support: While previously DLNR provided general support, the act clarifies governance and administrative roles within the council for ongoing operations.

Overall Impact

  • Provides a formal, seven-member Kaneohe Bay Regional Council under DLNR with clearly defined leadership rotation and quarterly meetings.
  • Enhances governance, accountability, and transparency for Kaneohe Bay resource management through an established council structure and open meeting requirements.

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

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