(BIVN) – The Hawaiʻi State Senate passed SB 3090 SD 2 on third reading on Tuesday. According to the latest description of the bill, the measure:

Establishes the Mauna Kea Management Authority. Limits the number of telescopes that may be authorized on Mauna Kea. Authorizes the renegotiation of leases, subleases, easements, permits, and licenses pertaining to Mauna Kea. Requires that revenue derived from activities on Mauna Kea be shared with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Excludes Mauna Kea lands from the definition of “public lands”. Provides for free access to Mauna Kea for traditional cultural purposes. Establishes police powers and provides for enforcement of laws on land under the jurisdiction of the Mauna Kea Management Authority. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2033. (SD2)

The latest senate draft deletes “references to an intent that the Mauna Kea Management Authority be self-funded and require no appropriations from the State’s general fund”.

According to the committee report, SD 2 also clarifies that:

• The Mauna Kea Management Authority shall be subject to the State’s open public meetings and records laws;
• Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement officers and county police officers shall be authorized to enforce laws on Mauna Kea lands in cooperation with Mauna Kea rangers;
• Certain expenditures of revolving funds administered by the Mauna Kea Management Authority shall be subject to legislative appropriation;
• Revenue to be shared with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs shall be limited to revenue pertaining to the use of Mauna Kea lands; and
• The Mauna Kea Management Authority shall be prohibited from selling any Mauna Kea lands;

The bill passed with 25 “ayes”, with reservations from Senators Gabbard, Harimoto, Kim, Riviere, Ruderman, Taniguchi, and Laura Thielen.

SB 3090 SD 2 now goes to the State House.

Sen. Kaialiʻi Kahele will now be making presentations on the bill across the state. The discussion comes to Keaukaha Elementary School on March 21st at 7 p.m.