STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1539

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 250

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 250 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO REVIEW ALL BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COUNCILS, COMMITTEES, WORKING GROUPS, AND TASK FORCES TO DETERMINE WHICH OF THESE CAN BE ELIMINATED,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to review all boards, commissions, councils, committees, working groups, and task forces to determine which of these can be eliminated.

     One state agency submitted comments on this measure.  Written testimony presented to your Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that DLNR is responsible for managing one hundred fifty-eight boards, commissions, councils, committees, working groups, and task forces, of which sixty-five are mandated by statute, fourteen are mandated by federal regulations, and seventy-nine are mandated by DLNR.  The staff of the various divisions responsible for one-third of DLNR's boards, commissions, councils, committees, working groups, and task forces with the lowest priorities expends approximately 2,800 man-hours annually preparing for meetings, attending meetings, and otherwise providing assistance.  During this time of economic uncertainty, when DLNR is eliminating programs and positions to cut costs, it is important to systematically review the functionality and effectiveness of the boards, commissions, councils, committees, working groups, and task forces under DLNR's purview. 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 250, and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair