Informing the Legislature that on May 27, 2025, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB506 HD1 SD2 CD1 (ACT 099).

HB506, signed into law on May 27, 2025, allocates $4,974,040 to fund equipment for the Oahu branch of Hawaii's Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DCRE). The funding directly supports enforcement of rules protecting herbivorous fish species - like parrotfish and surgeonfish - that help maintain coral reefs by controlling seaweed growth. Key equipment includes patrol vessels, night-vision devices, drones, SCUBA gear, and mobile surveillance trailers to address challenges like high fishing pressure, officer shortages, and the difficulty of night-time patrols on Oahu. This law specifically targets Oahu's degraded coral reefs, which face threats from smothering seaweed, bleaching, and pollution.