Bill seeks establishment of special account for Archeological Permit Fees

By Wendy Osher

Rep. Mele Carroll of Maui introduced a bill that seeks to establish a special account in the historic preservation special fund to help cover the costs of permit management. House Bill 224 directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources to increase archaeological permit fees from $50 to no less than $1,000.

File photo by Wendy Osher.

Carroll said the bill would help to establish the funding and infrastructure needed for the management of permit fees for archaeological purposes.

“This bill establishes the means to fund the management process for archeology permit fees and will help to further protect areas of significant Hawaiian importance for generations to come.” said Rep. Carroll.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs offered an amendment to the bill that would exempt those who would be conducting archaeological activities strictly for education.

The bill unanimously passed out of the House Committee on Hawaiian Affairs on Wednesday, and now heads to the Committee on Water, Land and Ocean Resources for further consideration.