This bill establishes a new Division of Climate Change and Damage within the Department of Environmental Services, which will be overseen by a director appointed by the governor. The director will be responsible for various functions, including adaptation planning, research and data analysis, public engagement and education, and funding and grants management. The bill outlines specific duties such as conducting vulnerability assessments, developing resilience plans, leading awareness campaigns, and administering grant programs for climate change initiatives. The director is required to be academically and technically qualified for the position and will serve a four-year term.

However, the bill does not provide funding for the new division or the director's position, which is estimated to cost over $822,000 annually, including salaries for additional staff needed to fulfill the division's responsibilities. The Department of Environmental Services has indicated that while they currently handle some of the functions outlined in the bill, the majority of the research and data analysis tasks exceed their current staffing capabilities. As a result, the bill's implementation may be hindered without the necessary funding and staffing resources.