STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3636

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1974

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1974, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to transfer moneys from the natural area reserve fund to the firefighter's contingency fund to upgrade firefighting equipment that is to be used jointly by the State and counties.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, State Fire Council, County of Maui Department of Fire & Public Safety, County of Hawaii Office of the Mayor, County of Hawaii Fire Department, Hawaii Cattlemens Council, and the Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that transferring moneys from the natural area reserve fund into the firefighter's contingency fund to upgrade firefighting equipment will promote public safety. Your Committee further finds that the creation of a marine debris special fund will facilitate the removal of marine debris from the State's waters and shorelines.

Your Committee has amended this measure by including language from Part III of H.B. No. 2625, H.D. 2, that establishes the marine debris special fund to be used for the removal of marine debris, but not the removal of abandoned structures.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1974, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1974, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair