STAND. COM. REP. NO.  90-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 1903

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1903 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OUTDOOR HERITAGE MONTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to celebrate Hawaii's diverse natural environment and outdoor recreational activities by designating the month of September of each year as Outdoor Heritage Month

The Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i County Council member representing District 3, Hawaii County Game Management Advisory Commission, Hawaii Hunting Association, National Rifle Association of America, and many individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources submitted comments.

     Your Committee finds that several existing state and national initiatives celebrating the natural environment and encouraging outdoor recreation are already recognized annually during the month of June.  Your Committee finds that establishing the annual recognition of Hawaii's outdoor heritage to coincide with National Trails Day, National Fishing and Boating Week, Take Pride in America, and the annual presidential and gubernatorial proclamations of Great Outdoors Month, will facilitate coordinated events celebrating the State's forests, parks, waters, and lands and will also take advantage of federal initiatives celebrating the nation's natural resources.

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by designating June, instead of September, as Outdoor Heritage Month.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1903, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1903, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

____________________________

CINDY EVANS, Chair