Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development and Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 1118, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to expand the definition of "public hunting area".

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from the Board of Land and Natural Resources and the Hawaii Hunting Advisory Council. Your Committee received testimony opposing this measure from the Hawaii Audubon Society.

Your Committee finds that the current definition of "public hunting area" identifies "those lands designated by the board" as public hunting areas. Adopting the definitions in this measure would clarify the policy intent of the legislature as to what State lands are to be considered for use as public hunting areas. Under the new definition, the Board would still retain the authority to designate or not designate a particular parcel of State land as a public hunting area.

It is the intent of your Committee that public hunting policies remain in line with efforts to protect existing forested wilderness areas from any encroachment by development, as well as efforts to maintain current designation of restricted watershed areas and enforce limited entry into these areas as prescribed by law.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1118, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment.