Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2024, the Governor returned the following bill with specific appropriation item(s) stricken or reduced: SB3153 SD2 HD1 CD1

This message from the Governor of Hawaii informs the Legislature that Senate Bill 3153 was returned with specific funding amounts reduced. The bill aimed to create a special fund and provide $10 million in annual grants to help private dam owners repair or remove unsafe structures. The Governor exercised line-item veto authority to cut the proposed funding by half, reducing the appropriation to $5 million for both depositing into and withdrawing from the new special fund. This action was taken because the Governor believes it is not fiscally prudent to commit these funds until a full assessment confirms the long-term viability of the grant program.