Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1415 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify that the Department of Land and Natural Resources may impose fines for each violation, require payment of restorative costs, and provide verbal notification to violators.

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

Your Committee finds that protection of Hawaii's natural ecosystems is essential for sustaining the State's economic and recreational interests, as well as maintaining the health, safety, and welfare of the State. Your Committee further finds that many large parcels of conservation land have been purchased by entities who fail to heed conservation district restrictions, or decide that it is cheaper to pay fines then to deal with permit processes. Your Committee believes that the Department's ability to impose additional fines may help to deter future purposeful violations.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1415 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.