Maui County Council is asking legislators to set environmental visitor fees

Council Chairwoman Alice L. Lee announced today that Maui County Council’s 2022 Legislative Package has introduced eight proposals, including legislation to introduce a “green fee surcharge” — a visitor’s fee to fund environmental and conservation projects.

The measures in the legislative package were introduced at the start of the legislative session last month by Senate President Ronald Kouchi and House Speaker Scott Saiki at the request of the council, Lee said. Legislation introducing a green fee surcharge was known as House Bill 1439 and Senate Bill 2098.

“‘Green Fees’ offer an innovative funding mechanism to better support the well-being of our residents and visitors alike by ensuring we have a clean and healthy environment,” Lee said in a press release. “Protecting Maui County’s reefs, oceans, beaches and forests is critical to both the visitor industry and the quality of life of our residents.”

The package also includes the following invoices:

• HB 1437 and SB 2096 lowering the blood alcohol threshold for the offense of driving while under the influence of intoxicants.
• HB 1438 and SB 2097 establishing criminal offenses of first and second degree chop shop tort.
• HB 1440 and SB 2099 require the minimum wage to be recalculated using the latest self-sufficiency income standard.
• HB 1441 and SB 2100 to authorize the issuance of general debentures and appropriate funds for capital improvement projects for the benefit of the County of Maui.
• HB 1442 and SB 2101 amending the definition of “development” in the Coastal Zone Management Act to exclude the construction or remodeling of a single family home less than 5,000 square feet in floor area.
• HB 1443 and SB 2102 imposing a climate levy on each customer who rents, leases or uses a rental vehicle.
• HB 1444 and SB 2103 abolishing Kalawao County and incorporating the Kalaupapa area of ​​Molokaʻi into Maui County.

Lee said she encourages Maui County residents to join the council to track state legislation and provide testimony to state legislative committees.