STAND. COM. REP. NO.161

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: H.B. No. 689

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land Use, to which was referred H.B. No. 689 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE FOREST STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to enable the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to become more self-sufficient in terms of administering the Forest Stewardship Program (Program) by authorizing DLNR to use conveyance tax revenues deposited into the forest stewardship fund for administrative purposes.

DLNR and the Hawaii Forest Industry Association testified in support of this measure.

Currently, DLNR relies on federal grants to administer the Program. While demand for the Program continues to increase, federal funding has steadily declined, and its future is uncertain. This measure will enable the Program to significantly restore, conserve, and expand Hawaii's private forestland resources.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land Use that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 689 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land Use,

____________________________

EZRA KANOHO, Chair