STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3034

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 70

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 Water and Land and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 70, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish 2.0 FTE positions and appropriate funds to continue small boat harbor saturation enforcement operation pilot testing within the Ala Wai and Keehi small boat harbors and develop effective enforcement for the State's small boat harbors.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Coral Fish Hawaii, and one individual. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

Your Committees find that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is responsible for managing 1,300,000 acres of state lands, beaches, and coastal areas, which include ensuring public health and safety at the State's sixteen small boat harbors. The State's small boat harbors are essential hubs for boating and ocean recreation enthusiasts. However, small boat harbors also attract criminal activity, such as property crime, drug dealing, and pollution.

Your Committees further find that during the month of November 2019, the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement conducted saturation operations at the Ala Wai small boat harbor, which resulted in numerous citations and arrests as well as the removal of vessels posing potential environmental hazards to ocean waters. These saturation operations created an increased atmosphere of safety for harbor tenants, staff, and users. This measure, which extends these saturation operations on a long-term basis, will help to solidify the increase in safety, environmental protection, and protection of property at the Ala Wai and Keehi small boat harbors.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water and Land and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 70, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair