STAND. COM. REP. NO. 863

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 875

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 875 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR STATE LIFEGUARDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for lifeguards at Kua Bay, Kekaha Kai State Park, on the island of Hawaii.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Mayor of the County of Hawaii, two members of the Hawaii County Council, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Kohala Coast Resort Association, Aha Moku Advisory Committee, Hawaii Tourism Authority, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that lifeguards are the primary responders for emergencies on shorelines and within nearshore waters, addressing injuries and performing ocean rescue services. Your Committee recognizes that, currently, there is no lifeguard protection for visitors to Kua Bay.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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 S.B. No. 875, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 875, S.D. 1.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair