Report Title:

Public Land; Beaches; Use

Description:

Makes it illegal for hotels and resorts to limit the use of public land, including a beach, to its guests.  Requires the Department of Land and Natural to establish certain rules regarding use of public beach lands (HB1538 HD1).

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1538
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to public land.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 171, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§171-   Public land; illegal use; rules. (a)  It shall be illegal for a hotel or resort to limit the use of public land, including a beach, to its guests.

(b)  For purposes of this section, "use of public land" means putting equipment of the hotel or resort, including chairs, tables, umbrellas, and other items typically used at a beach and provided by a hotel or resort, onto public land, including a beach.

(c)  The department of land and natural resources shall adopt rules, pursuant to chapter 91, to determine:

(1) The use of public beach lands by hotels, resorts, and other businesses, specific to equipment and other activities on beaches;

(2) What is a reasonable period of time for equipment to be left on public beach lands; and

(3) A structure or schedule of fees for any violation of this section."

     SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2025.