Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 683, H.D. 2, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to enable the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to deter violations of state parks statutes and rules under Chapter 184, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by civil or criminal action.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that violations of Chapter 184, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and the state parks rules are designated as petty misdemeanors and handled by the courts as criminal matters. However, some violations can best be dealt with as civil matters and be more effectively addressed through administrative proceedings. This measure provides the penalties and authorization to help address these issues swiftly, without being forced to always proceed in criminal court.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 683, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.