STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1391-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.R. No. 157

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary, to which was referred H.R. No. 157 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ENHANCE ITS ENFORCEMENT OF FEDERAL LAWS PROHIBITING THE SALE OF IVORY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect African elephants.

Specifically, the measure urges the federal government to enhance its enforcement of federal laws prohibiting the sale of ivory, which is often supplied by poachers who illegally slaughter African elephants.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Elephants NJ, Golfing for Elephants, and five individuals testified in support of the measure.  Elephants DC, The Humane Society of the United States - Humane Society International, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and WildAid commented on the measure.

Your Committees find that African elephants are nearing extinction due to poaching driven by the high price of ivory and consumer demand.  The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, adopted by the United States, banned the international trade of African elephant ivory, and federal laws prohibit the sale of certain classes of ivory.  Accordingly, your Committees believe the federal government should enhance its enforcement of federal laws prohibiting the sale of non-antique African elephant ivory.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 157 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary,

____________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair

____________________________ ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair