We received notification on Thurs., Feb. 28 that the House Finance Committee voted 15-0 in favor of HB839 with amendments, despite testimony from the Dept. of Land and Natural Resources in opposition of the bill...
This bill would provide funds to the DNLR to do a comprehensive survey of existing public beach accesses throughout the state. However, we would like it amended to also identify where ADDITIONAL rights of way are needed. That proposal will be discussed when the bill crosses over to the Senate side of the State Legislature.
After we find out which committee(s) will be assigned this bill, we'll have to provide testimony again in support of it to keep it moving forward. If it clears the Senate hearings, the amended bill will then be reviewed by both sides of the Legislature before final passage and a dollar amount is allocated for this survey.
So we still have a way to go -- but this is an important step forward in the process! Thanks to all of you who provided written testimony and made phone calls to Rep. Oshiro's office to get this bill scheduled for a hearing.
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