STAND. COM. REP. NO.  279-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2591

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2591 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MARINE RESOURCES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Department of Land and Natural Resources to undertake the comprehensive stakeholder engagement process and adaptive management strategies associated with the Marine 30x30 Initiative.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Coral Fish Hawaii.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Ocean Tourism Coalition.

 

     Your Committee finds that this measure is part of the State's ongoing commitment to effectively manage thirty percent of Hawaii's nearshore waters by 2030.  In particular, your Committee finds that this measure provides support for ongoing outreach and stakeholder engagement, the development of a management plan, and administrative support for the Marine 30x30 Initiative.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

 

     (2)  Inserting language requiring the management plan to be supported by scientific data and research;

 

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2591, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2591, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair