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State parks bill SB439 draws support from advocates and agency says it already applies current fee framework
Summary
Supporters and the Division of State Parks testified on SB439, which would authorize or clarify state park fees and reference the consumer price index; the state parks administrator said the department already applies the bill’s approach in practice.
The Senate Committee on Hawaiian Affairs heard testimony on SB439 and advanced the bill after committee members adopted technical amendments recommended by staff.
Kirk Cottrell, administrator for the Division of State Parks at the Department of Land and Natural Resources, told the committee the department “is basically doing everything that the bill is requesting now.” He described existing practices: ten state park units currently collect fees, and five are under examination. Cottrell said the department applies an eight-criteria review when considering fee designation and referenced administrative rules under Title 13, Chapter 1446 as part of the exhibit attached to his written testimony.
Cottrell also noted that prior legislation (Act 194, SLH 21) allows the State Land Board to adjust fees without separate rulemaking and permits experimenting with surge or dynamic pricing. He said fees collected are deposited into state park special funds.
Hannah Lisiak testified for the Care for Aina Now Coalition, which the witness said represents more than 60 organizations supporting the bill. Lisiak urged the committee to adopt SB439, saying it would “provide necessary funding for natural resource protection.” Coalition Earth and other supporters submitted testimony in support as well.
Committee leadership recorded the recommendation to adopt technical amendments to SB439; the committee approved the measure and moved it forward. The transcript records supporters and agency testimony but does not include a detailed roll-call tally for the committee vote beyond the committee’s announcement that the measure was adopted.
