HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

593

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to public lands.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that access to lands within the State's jurisdiction, particularly beach parks, for pet animals and their owners is relatively limited.  Existing rules of the department of land and natural resources prohibit access of pet animals to most beach parks under the State's jurisdiction.  On certain islands within the State, there are no beach parks that allow access for pet animals.

     The legislature also finds that owners of pet animals are not adequately considered as a class of user within state beach parks and that it is necessary to reevaluate access to state lands in this case.  The legislature further finds that access for this class of user has been over-looked and unaddressed in the past, leaving owners with limited access to open public spaces where they may bring their pet animals.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of land and natural resources to evaluate its rules relating to access for pet animals and their owners within appropriate state beach parks to allow greater access.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of land and natural resources shall evaluate its rules relating to state beach parks to determine the feasibility of providing greater access for persons accompanied by pet animals.  The department shall:

     (1)  Identify state beach parks that may reasonably accommodate pet animals;

     (2)  Determine which species of pet animals may be appropriate within the state beach parks identified pursuant to paragraph (1); and

     (3)  Consider other factors that the department deems necessary.

     (b)  The department of land and natural resources shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2016.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

DLNR; State Beaches; Pet Animals; Access; Report

 

Description:

Requires DLNR to evaluate its rules and regulations relating to state beach parks to determine the feasibility of providing greater access for persons accompanied by pet animals.

 

 

 

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