STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1014

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 586

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 586, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE KANEOHE BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to repeal the Kaneohe Bay Regional Council and transfer responsibilities over all plans, programs, and policies adopted by the Council to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

 

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by two state agencies.  Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by one organization.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

 

     Your Committee finds that the Kaneohe Bay Regional Council has played a significant role in developing the Kaneohe Bay Master Plan, stewarding resources, and addressing controversial issues in the Kaneohe Bay area.  However, your Committee also recognizes that the current economic situation calls for the Department of Land and Natural Resources to focus its efforts on core functions, and that absorbing the functions performed by the Council into current operations of the Department of Land and Natural Resources is a prudent decision at this time.

 

     Your Committee appreciates the valuable contributions of the Kaneohe Bay Regional Council and encourages the Department of Land and Natural Resources to build upon the successes and experiences of the Council as the Department carries out the Council's duties moving forward.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure as follows:

 

     (1)  Beginning on the effective date of the measure, requiring the Department of Land and Natural Resources to carry out all of the duties and functions of the Kaneohe Bay Regional Council established by chapter 200D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, prior to the effective date of the measure; and

 

     (2)  Changing the effective date from January 1, 2020, to July 1, 2009.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 586, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 586, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair