STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1301

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 249

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Tourism and Government Operations and Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 249, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUNTING TOURISM,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to create a category of hunting license for a three-day period of hunting on a private or commercial shooting preserve.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Rifle Association, Palawai Outfitters, and Parker Ranch.  Testimony in opposition was received from Animal Rights Hawaii, Animal Care Foundation, and one individual.

     Your Committees find that hunting is a popular sport that has been underdeveloped in Hawaii.  Hunting game animals is a well‑recognized sport on the mainland and around the world.  Nationwide, hunters are among the largest contributors of money and support toward the conservation and expansion of natural preserves and wildlife habitats.

     The State's existing hunting license law does not permit a short-term license such as embodied in this measure.  This measure would remove that impediment and enable visitors to the State to participate in hunting activities.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by inserting the provisions of S.B. No. 695, S.D. 1, a similar measure which changes the fee to $95 for a seven-day license to hunt on private or commercial shooting preserves, accompanied by a licensed hunting guide.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Tourism and Government Operations and Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 249, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 249, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Tourism and Government Operations and Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________ RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, Chair

____________________________ CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair