STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1017-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: H.B. No. 1723

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1723, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MARINE LIFE PROTECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a working group to identify high priority areas that are in need of protective management for potential designation as marine protected areas.

The Hawaii Fishing & Boating Association, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Eyes of the Reef Network, and two concerned individuals supported this measure. Many individuals opposed this measure. The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i provided comments.

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 H.B. No. 1723, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair