STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3174

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2537

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2537, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ACCESS TO PUBLIC PROPERTY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Prohibit the obstruction of access to beaches; and

(2) Establish a fine of $100 for a first conviction of obstructing access to public property.

Your Committees received no testimony on this measure.

Your Committees find that existing law prohibits obstruction of access to public property by action or by having installed a physical impediment that intentionally prevents a member of the public from accessing the sea, shoreline, or any inland public recreational area. However, existing law falls short of specifically prohibiting the obstruction of access to beaches. This measure would prohibit obstructing access to beaches so that the public may enjoy the beaches in Hawaii.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2537, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair