STAND. COM. REP. NO.  905-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 3177

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 3177, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS WITHIN THE CONSERVATION DISTRICT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to protect our natural resources and deter unlawful acts on conservation land by:

     (1)  Raising the maximum fine from $2,000 to $10,000 for each violation of the laws and rules governing conservation districts;

     (2)  Adding damages to natural resources as a cost that can be recovered; and

     (3)  Allowing the Board of Land and Natural Resources (Board) to set, charge, and collect the fines based on the value of the natural resource that is damaged, the market value of the natural resource damaged, and any other factor deemed appropriate by the Board.

     The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii and Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources and Office of Hawaiian Affairs offered comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 3177, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair