Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2710, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to remove barriers to the development of aquaculture and mariculture industries in Hawaii.

Specifically, the bill repeals the sunset provision of Act 176, Session Laws of Hawaii 1999, which established procedures for leasing of state marine waters.

Your Committee finds that this bill will encourage continuation of Hawaii's success in developing open ocean acquaculture by removing uncertainties in the state ocean leasing law. Making permanent the ocean and submerged lands leasing law will make ocean leasing more attractive to potential investors.

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 H.B. No. 2710, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.