STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1668-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   S.B. No. 2453

      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 Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2453 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AQUATIC RESOURCES PENALTIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1)  Repeal the prohibition on suspension or waiver of fines for violations of certain aquatic resource laws; and

(2)  Authorize the court to require a person who violates certain state laws relating to aquatic resources, fishing rights and regulations, and the Marine Life Conservation Program to:

(A)  Complete an aquatic resources educational class administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) in addition to or in lieu of paying a monetary fine; and

(B)  Perform community service administered by DLNR in lieu of paying a monetary fine.

The Judiciary, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Aha Moku Advisory Committee, Malama Pupukea-Waimea, and an individual testified in support of this measure.  The Office of Hawaiian Affairs commented on this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2030, to facilitate further discussion.  

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2453, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2453, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair