STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1277

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 897

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 897, H.D. 2, 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 appropriate funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW).

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii State Fire Council, Honolulu Fire Department, Maui Fire Department, Kaua‘i Fire Department, and The Nature Conservancy Hawai‘i.

Your Committee finds that DOFAW is the primary responder for wildland fires occurring on nearly one million acres of forested watershed and co-responds with federal and county agencies on additional lands in the State. In addition to wildfire suppression, DOFAW serves as part of the State Emergency Response Team to address other emergencies and disasters, such as hurricanes and lava events. Specialized equipment in good working order is essential for DOFAW's success in safely responding to such emergencies throughout the State. DOFAW's other programs include forest restoration via tree planting, enhancement of recreational forest areas and trails, revenue opportunities through commercially valuable forest products, and management of invasive pests and diseases. This measure appropriates funding for fire and emergency response equipment and a number of DOFAW's forest management programs and positions.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making it effective on July 1, 2019.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 897, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 897, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair