STAND. COM. REP. NO. 616

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1414

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 S.B. No. 1414 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE PARKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the State Parks Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a feasibility study on the employment of residential caretakers at high-use hiking trails to assist hikers and reduce the need for rescues of hikers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiian Affairs Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that hiking continues to increase in popularity among visitors and residents, leading to greater wear on trails and facilities. Additionally, your Committee finds that many hikers lack proper education as to hiking safety and etiquette, which has resulted in litter, loud noises, illegal parking in neighborhoods where trail heads are located, and other illegal activities, as well as increases in mountain rescues. This measure requires a feasibility study on the employment of residential caretakers at high-use hiking trails as a means of mitigating the negative impacts of high traffic on state trails to ensure that Hawaii's hiking trails continue to be safely enjoyed by residents and visitors.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of December 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

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 S.B. No. 1414, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1414, 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,

________________________________

KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair