STAND. COM. REP. NO.  359

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 622

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 622 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE PUBLIC TRUST LAND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to facilitate the continuing preservation, restoration, and appropriate use of the Kaho‘olawe Island Reserve by:

     (1)  Authorizing the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources to transfer funds from the Department of Land and Natural Resources' public land trust accounts to the Kaho‘olawe Rehabilitation Trust Fund (Fund); and

     (2)  Authorizing the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to expend a portion of its public land trust revenues for purposes consistent with those of the Fund.

One concerned individual supported this measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Ka Lahui Hawaii Political Action Committee, and one concerned individual opposed this measure.  The Department of Budget and Finance provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

(2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of 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. 622, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 622, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair