STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2557

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1312

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 1312 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE LEGACY LAND CONSERVATION COMMISSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the Chairperson of the Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) Commission to designate a member of the NARS Commission to serve as the Chairperson's representative on the Legacy Land Conservation Commission and allow the members of the Legacy Land Conservation Commission to elect their own chairperson.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and The Nature Conservancy.  Testimony in opposition to this measure was received from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that members of state boards and commissions receive no compensation for their time commitments to serve the State.  These commitments can sometimes overburden the members who are basically serving in a volunteer position.  This time can also divert their attention away from their required duties for the State.  This measure alleviates the burden of the Chairperson of the NARS Commission in serving on these commissions but maintains representation of the interests and expertise of the NARS Commission on the Legacy Land Conservation Commission.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1312 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

____________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair