STAND. COM. REP. NO. 734

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 502

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 502, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE DIVISION OF CONSERVATION AND RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement of the Department of Land and Natural Resources for personnel services, current expenses, equipment, and motor vehicles.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Humane Society of the United States, The Nature Conservancy, Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, Kuaaina Ulu Auamo, and twelve individuals.

 

     Your Committee finds that the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement of the Department of Land and Natural Resources is tasked with enforcing laws that protect, conserve, and manage much of the State's natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources throughout the State.  There are areas under the Department of Land and Natural Resources' jurisdiction on each island, and these areas include a wide variety of geographical terrains across a large amount of land.

 

Your Committee also finds that the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement's operational budget was cut significantly during the recent economic recession.  As a result of these cuts, the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement lacks the personnel and equipment it needs to fulfill its statutory and regulatory obligations.  The Division's needs include additional enforcement personnel, training resources, uniforms, body armor, firearms, night vision goggles, and vehicles with emergency lights and sirens.  Your Committee finds that providing funding for additional personnel and equipment would assist the Division to meet the challenges of protecting Hawaii's natural, cultural, historical, and recreational resources across the State.

 

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

    

(1)  Changing the amount of the appropriation to an unspecified amount; and

 

(2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 502, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 502, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair