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New Laws Protect Hawaiʻi Homes from Sea Level Rise

David Ige Bill Signing
Office of Gov. David Ige

Gov. David Ige signed two bills regarding sea level rise into law Friday.

HB 243 requires state agencies to identify facilities that are susceptible to sea level rise and flooding.

The agencies also will need to send an annual report to the governor. The state is also required to prepare mitigation plans for these facilities.

The second bill, SB 474, requires anyone selling a home to disclose if the property lies in a sea level rise exposure area.

According to a 2017 report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the global mean sea level will rise 3.2 feet by 2100. In a more extreme scenario, that level can be reached by 2060.

Zoe Dym was a news producer at Hawaiʻi Public Radio.
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