STAND. COM. REP. NO.  58-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 1754

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1754 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUNTING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a Hawaii apprentice hunting license to allow potential hunters who are ten years and older the opportunity, under the supervision of a licensed hunter, to learn whether they want to continue and become licensed to hunt on their own by completing a hunter education course.

The County of Hawaii, County of Hawaii Game Management Advisory Council, Hawaii Hunting Association, The Society for Hawaii Heritage Animals, National Wild Turkey Federation, Babooze Bowstrings, Hunting Farming and Fishing Association, and several individuals provided testimony in support of this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Limiting the issuance of apprentice hunting licenses to a single licensure year by prohibiting renewal, except for minors who may renew until they reach eighteen;

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     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. 1754, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1754, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair