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North Shore homes are slipping into the ocean and Hawaii lawmakers are stressing the need for a comprehensive plan to deal with the effects of climate change.

Scientists are anticipating rising sea levels, erosion, warming waters, dying coral reefs, changing rain patterns and increased flooding — some of which the islands are already experiencing.

A bill jointly supported by the House and Senate environmental committees would have government officials compile the latest scientific information on climate change, as well as fill in data gaps, to get the most precise picture of the effects of a warming climate on Hawaii through 2050.

The state planning department would then lead planning efforts aimed at adapting to the changes.

“It asks the planning department to come up with firm plans with actionable specifics that we can actually move ahead on, instead of ‘piecemealing’ the thing,” said Rep. Chris Lee, chairman of the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee.

Another bill being introduced by Rep. Cynthia Thielen, the committee’s vice chairwoman, would put the lieutenant governor in charge of climate change planning.

Also on the environmental agenda this session are bills that address invasive species, Matson’s September molasses spill at Honolulu Harbor, pesticides, GMOs and sharks.

Unwelcome Visitors

For Sen. Mike Gabbard, chairman of the Senate Energy and Environment Committee, increasing support for the control of invasive species is a top priority this session.

Stinging Little Fire Ants, which could cost the Big Island $170 million annually in damages in the coming years, were recently detected on Oahu and Maui. The coconut rhinoceros beetle, which threatens Hawaii’s iconic coconut trees and other palm plants, has shown up on Oahu. And farmers are still grappling with such invasive species as the coffee berry borer beetle, which has damaged coffee crops, and the debatably melodious coqui frog which continues to expand its habitat.

Gabbard is hoping to secure $5 million for the 2015 fiscal year for the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to assist with control and prevention. This would be a significant funding boost for the council, which was allocated $750,000 in general funds for the 2014 fiscal year.

Counties Fuel State Debate on Ag Practices

In the past year, debates about genetically altered crops and pesticides sharply divided neighbor island communities, including protest marches and ultimately the passage of bills on the and Kauai that increase regulations on biotech companies, GMOs and pesticides.

The county laws are expected to spark related bills at the Hawaii Legislature this year. A pesticide disclosure bill mimics the new ordinance on Kauai, but doesn’t specifically relate to biotech companies, said Sen. Russell Ruderman, vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment.

Lawmakers are also expected to introduce a bill preempting the authority of the counties to regulate pesticides and GMOs. “I think that is where the fight will be this year,” Ruderman said.

Gabbard also plans to introduce a GMO labeling bill. A similar measure died last year, despite attracting a lot of attention and some ugly exchanges between bill supporters and opponents.

Holding Matson Accountable

Matson made headlines last year when one of the shipping company’s pipes broke, spewing a quarter million gallons of molasses into Honolulu Harbor, killing thousands of fish and destroying coral reefs.

Lawmakers are working on a broad package of bills designed to make sure such an accident doesn’t happen again, said Lee, and that any settlement money that a company might have to pay relating to the the spill go toward restoration of the reef and nearshore marine resources harmed by the spill.

Lee said that the bills’ specifics are still being ironed out.

Compassion for Sharks

Last year was the for shark attacks. There were 14 reports of people being bitten — two of them died.

But that doesn’t mean Hawaii is declaring open season on the ocean predators. Rather, a bill being introduced by Rep. Nicole Lowen, vice chairwoman of the House Water and Land Committee, would protect the species, penalizing anyone who harmed or killed a shark.

The bill is in response to a of fishermen on the Big Island hooking a tiger shark and dragging it along the rocky coast of the Big Island.

Lowen says she’s also introducing legislation that would limit the number of state permits available for the collection of aquarium fish.