STAND. COM. REP. NO. 331

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 991

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Water and Land and Transportation and Energy, to which was referred S.B. No. 991 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS ON CERTAIN STATE LANDS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to decriminalize traffic infractions within natural area reserves, game management areas, wildlife sanctuaries, and public hunting areas.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.

     Your Committees find that this measure will simplify the resolution of traffic violations occurring on certain state lands, reduce efforts and resources expended to resolve minor traffic violations, and ensure that police, prosecutorial, and judicial resources are focused on the most serious criminal offenses.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water and Land and Transportation and Energy that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 991, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 991, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Labor and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water and Land and Transportation and Energy,

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair