STAND. COM. REP. NO. 14

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 695

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Tourism and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 695 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUNTING,"

begs 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 Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Hawaii Rifle Association, Lessons in Firearms Education, Arrow One Ranch LLC, Palawai Outfitters, Mauna Loa Outfitters LLC, Kaneohe Gun Shop, and five individuals.

     Your Committee finds that hunting is a popular sport that has been undeveloped 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.

     Testimony indicated that many tourists are unaware of Hawaii's hunting game offerings, and may decide after arriving here that they want to spend a few days to hunt while here.  However, this is not possible without a hunting license.  Existing law requires a Hawaii hunting license for anyone to hunt, even if a person possesses a valid hunting license in another state.  As a prerequisite for obtaining a hunting license, a person must possess a valid hunter education certificate under section 183D‑18, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Thus, it is nearly impossible for a tourist to hunt in Hawaii without laborious pre-planning.

     Your Committee is cognizant about the safety issues concerning hunting tourism.  However, most tourists who want to hunt engage the services of a licensed hunting guide under section 183D-25.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Hunting guides testified that safety is their utmost and primary concern.

     Your Committee has amended this measure on the recommendation of the DLNR by:

     (1)  Providing for a fee of $95 for a seven-day license, rather than a three-day license for $50; and

     (2)  Allowing the DLNR to set a fee for private and commercial shooting preserve and farmers' licenses, to be deposited into the wildlife revolving fund.

     Your Committee believes that this measure, as amended, will encourage tourists to visit Hawaii and will provide revenues through hunting activities that will bolster the State's ability to protect additional natural habitats, and therefore sustain the beauty of our State.  Testimony indicated that there are established businesses that cater to tourists who desire to hunt while in Hawaii.  This measure would facilitate the development of hunting tourism.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Tourism and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 695, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 695, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Tourism and Government Operations,

____________________________

CLARENCE K. NISHIHARA, Chair