STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3748

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1748

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 1748, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WILDLIFE OFFENSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide that all animal parts, products, or items containing prohibited animal parts or products used in the commission of wildlife trafficking or certain hunting offenses shall be considered contraband to be forfeited to and disposed of by the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, City and County of Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney, Animal Rights Hawai‘i, Aloha Animal Advocates, Pono Advocacy, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that under existing law, there is no express allowance for the forfeiture and disposal of wildlife contraband in the possession of a person who has committed certain wildlife trafficking or hunting offenses. Without forfeiture, such contraband may be placed into circulation on the black market. This measure provides that wildlife contraband shall be forfeited to and disposed of by the State to ensure that violators cannot profit from their crimes.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1748, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair