STAND. COM. REP. NO. 499

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1253

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water and Land and Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 1253 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. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from Animal Rights Hawai‘i.

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:

(1) Inserting an effective date of December 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment 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 that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1253, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1253, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

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

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

________________________________ KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair