STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1651

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 249

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 249, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to further hunting tourism.

     More specifically, the bill:

     (1)  Provides for a fee of $95 for a seven-day hunting license on a private and commercial shooting preserve;

     (2)  Exempts from the hunter education program a person who obtains the seven-day license and is accompanied by a licensed hunting guide; and

     (3)  Allows the Department of Land and Natural Resources to set fees for private and commercial shooting preserves and farmer's licenses.

     The Hawaii Rifle Association and the Palawai Outfitters submitted comments in support of the measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted comments.  One individual submitted comments in opposition to the measure.

     Your Committee finds that hunting tourism is underdeveloped in Hawaii and that the proposed amendments to this bill permit tourists and visitors to pursue hunting activities on private and commercial shooting preserves while in Hawaii.

     Your Committee amended the measure by:

     (1)  Adding provisions for a three-day hunting license on a private or commercial shooting preserve for a fee of $50; and

     (2)  Incorporating the Department of Land and Natural Resources recommendations regarding additional requirements for persons obtaining a three-day or a seven-day hunting license.

     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. 249, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 249, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair