Visitors will soon be charged a fee to help cover the costs of protecting the ocean
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii visitors will be charged a new fee to cover the cost of protecting the ocean.
On Tuesday, Gov. David Ige signed House Bill 1019 into law. The measure creates the Hawaii Ocean Stewardship Special Fund.
The state will collect funds starting in January 2024.
A $1 per person fee will be collected by commercial ocean operators. The state estimates the fee will generate up to $30 million over 15 years.
To better protect and preserve the ocean resources we all value on this World Ocean’s Day, I’ve signed 9 bills into law. Such as; criminalizing the intentional killings of sharks and enabling state agencies to better manage fisheries and enforce rules to help sustain fisheries. pic.twitter.com/LyHGrrjDhL
— Governor David Ige (@GovHawaii) June 9, 2021
The governor also signed a number eight other environmental measures into law on Tuesday as he marked World Oceans Day.
Other bills signed into law include one that protects sharks in Hawaii waters.
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