Report Title:

Canoe Beach; Security Program

 

Description:

Establishes and appropriates funds for a pilot security program using infrared camera technology at Canoe Beach in Lahaina, Maui.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1607

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO PUBLIC BEACHES.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature believes in preserving open access to and easy entry into our public beaches.  Everyone, regardless of their ability to own land, should have the right to enjoy the earth's natural beauty.

     The legislature finds that as development sprouts along our shorelines, the proximity between private properties and our public beaches has narrowed.  As a result, after-hour activity at public beaches has increased.  Disturbed by the potential for problems such as crime, residents, and community associations have begun to push for limited access to these public resources.  In some areas, they have put up impediments, which include gates.

     The purpose of this Act is to improve public safety while preserving public access to beaches by establishing a pilot security program using infrared camera technology at Canoe beach in Lahaina, Maui.  An infrared camera security system would monitor after-dark activity at public beaches and assist law enforcement in addressing crime in these areas, thereby serving as a deterrent to illegal activities.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of land and natural resources shall establish a pilot security program at Canoe beach in Lahaina, Maui.  The program shall use infrared camera technology to monitor after-dark activity at the beach for public safety purposes. 

     (b)  Information collected through the program shall be accessible to the police department and department of land and natural resources to the extent necessary to allow each agency to implement and enforce laws under the jurisdiction of the respective agency.  The privacy of innocent individuals recorded through the program shall be protected to the highest extent possible.

     (c)  The department shall submit a report to the legislature of its progress, findings, and recommendations, including proposed legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2008 and 2009.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $      or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for a pilot security program using infrared camera technology at Canoe beach in Lahaina, Maui.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007, and shall be repealed on July 1, 2009.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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