Subcommittee discusses HB254 to codify resilience programs, expand community participation and revise shore-erosion loan rules
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Summary
HB254 would codify DNR's resilience-through-restoration program, require DNR to provide climate planning tools by Oct. 1, 2027, prioritize vulnerability assessments of department lands by Dec. 31, 2035, and alter the shore erosion loan fund to credit interest to the fund and allow partial loan forgiveness under departmental criteria. The bill was held for further discussion; no committee vote was recorded.
Committee discussion of HB254 focused on multiple departmental changes to climate resilience planning, community engagement, project eligibility, and shore-erosion funding rules.
Kristen, who presented the measure, said the bill expands community participation by clarifying DNR’s authority to contract for compensation to community members who participate in project planning and development. The bill also codifies DNR’s "resilience through restoration" initiative and spells out eligibility for nature-based restoration projects that enhance community and ecosystem resilience to acute hazards (storms) and chronic hazards (nuisance flooding, sea-level rise). Project funding is required to allow at least 3% for programmatic or project-level adaptive management.
HB254 directs DNR to develop and maintain climate planning resources for local jurisdictions by Oct. 1, 2027, and to prioritize climate vulnerability assessments for two coastal and two inland department properties by Dec. 31, 2035. The bill also amends the Shore Erosion Control Construction Loan Fund so interest earnings will be credited to the fund (not the general fund), removes existing caps on loan-covered project construction costs, and authorizes the department to partially forgive loans using criteria that consider ecological, performance, and equity factors.
Delegate Jacobs asked whether the loan program is limited to living shorelines or would cover hardened structures such as stone bulkheads; department staff and Kristen confirmed the program is limited to living shorelines only. Jacobs pressed for follow-up because some shoreline exposures in his district require hardened solutions and he wanted to know where those property owners should turn if they cannot use the state program. Department staff said they would follow up with further information about past uptake and program limits.
Committee took no final vote on HB254 at this meeting and the bill was held for further discussion and follow up.
