STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2647

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2529

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 2529 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE PARKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to clarify that the conservation of park resources and values is the predominant concern of the state park system.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by The Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter, and two individuals.  Testimony in support of the intent of this measure was submitted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Your Committee finds that state parks must be preserved and managed for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.  This can only be accomplished by establishing that the fundamental purpose of the state park system is to conserve park resources and values, including natural scenic, historic, and wildlife values.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by amending the effective date to July 1, 2050.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2529, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2529, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair