STAND. COM. REP. NO. 857

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 1021

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1021 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE INTERSTATE WILDLIFE VIOLATOR COMPACT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Department of Land and Natural Resources to enter into the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact or a similar agreement for mutual assistance in the enforcement of wildlife laws.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaiian Humane Society, Keiko Conservation, Animal Rights Hawai‘i, Friends of Hanauma Bay, For the Fishes, The Humane Society of the United States, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, Moana Ohana, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that violation of wildlife laws interferes with the management of wildlife resources and may endanger the safety of persons and property. Your Committee also finds that the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact was created to promote compliance with the laws, regulations, ordinances, resolutions, and administrative rules that related to the management of wildlife resources in the respective member states. This multi-state agreement establishes a process whereby wildlife law violations conducted by a non-resident while in a member state may be handled as if the person were a resident in the state where the violation took place. The Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact also includes a reciprocal recognition of license privilege suspension by member states. Your Committee further finds that Hawaii is currently not a member of the Interstate Wildlife Compact. This measure will enhance Hawaii's ability to protect and manage its wildlife resources.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1021, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1021, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair