Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 41 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to reestablish the youth conservation corps and authorize the transfer of unspecified moneys from the natural area reserve fund to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to fund the corps.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the intent of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and Life of the Land.

Your Committee finds that DLNR currently operates a limited youth conservation corps, and in 2000 received $75,000 in general funds for the program. A statewide program would cost an estimated $150,000 to $200,000.

Your Committee supports the opportunities such a program would offer Hawaii's young people, and finds the investment to be a prudent one. Your Committee has heard the concerns regarding use of the moneys from the natural area reserve fund and believes this merits further discussion by the Committee on Ways and Means.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 41 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.