STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3468
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: H.B. No. 799
H.D. 2
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Twenty-Eighth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2016
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred H.B. No. 799, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIFORM AERONAUTICS ACT,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify the authority of the State and its employees and independent contractors to kill or attempt to kill wildlife by aerial means in furtherance of official state duties.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, O‘ahu Invasive Species Committee, and The Nature Conservancy. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Hunting Association and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from The Humane Society of the United States.
Your Committee finds that aerial shooting is a core tool to control invasive non-native ungulates that destroy native forests and associated watersheds. According to written testimony submitted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, this tool is necessary to carry out the Department's work pursuant to law, protect state forests, control erosion, and protect endangered species. This measure clarifies the State's authority to use aerial shooting as a means to control, maintain, and protect the State's natural resources.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 799, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor,
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________________________________ GILBERT S.C. KEITH-AGARAN, Chair |
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