SB1184

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1184
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE AQUATIC LIFE AND WILDLIFE ADVISORY COMMITTEES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The coronavirus (COVID-19) has had a catastrophic impact on the world economy. The complexities of dealing with a worldwide health crisis have added additional layers of uncertainty that may increase the time needed for recovery. Because of this, the State has implemented the fiscal biennium 2021-2023 program review to identify ways to:

(1) Reduce expenditures;

(2) Identify programs, functions, and/or activities for possible elimination that, although well-intentioned, are of marginal benefit, low performing, or of lesser priority; and

(3) Identify cost-saving opportunities in core and primary programs and services through tightening program eligibility, reducing program benefits, improving efficiency, or cost shifting.

The department of land and natural resources (department), after thorough review and much scrutiny, has determined that the aquatic life and wildlife advisory committees have rarely convened or been needed, and as such, are outdated. While this Act would reduce the size of the animal species advisory commission by removing of the chairs of the aquatic life and wildlife advisory committees from the animal species advisory commission, the department believes that there is still sufficient representation on the animal species advisory commission to carry out its duties. The department is also able to administratively convene a like advisory committee if it deems necessary.

The purposes of this Act are to repeal section 197-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, establishing the aquatic life and wildlife advisory committees and amend sections 197-1 and 197-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to conform with that repeal

SECTION 2. Section 197-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by deleting the definition of "committee".

["~~"Committee" means the aquatic life and wildlife advisory committee established in each of the counties of the State.~~"]

SECTION 3. Section 197-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) There is established within the department an animal species advisory commission which may serve in an advisory capacity to the board. The commission shall consist of [~~thirteen~~] nine members to be appointed by the governor in the manner provided in section 26-34. [The ~~chairperson of each aquatic life and wildlife advisory committee established pursuant to this chapter and three~~] Three members of the department designated by the chairperson of the department, and of not less than one each from the professional fields of aquatic life, wildlife, and conservation and resources enforcement, shall serve as members of the commission. Six of the members shall be scientists in the fields of botany, mammalogy, ichthyology, entomology, ornithology, and invertebrate zoology. The commission shall select its own chairperson."

SECTION 4. Section 197-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.

["~~§197-4 Aquatic life and wildlife advisory committees~~. (a) There is established in each of the counties of the State an aquatic life and wildlife advisory committee. Each committee shall be composed of members of the board representing the county, who shall serve ex officio and shall be nonvoting members, and five members appointed by the governor in accordance with section 26-34, who shall be knowledgeable in the taking and conservation of aquatic life and wildlife. The members shall serve for four-year terms. Each committee shall select its own chairperson from its voting members, and three voting members shall constitute a quorum. Members of the committees shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed by the board for all necessary expenses, including stenographic services.

(b) A committee shall meet at the call of its chairperson or of any three of its members for the consideration of any matter affecting the taking and conservation of aquatic life and wildlife within the county, including proposed rules and the enforcement thereof. Each committee may hear such persons and acquire such information as it desires and shall communicate its findings and recommendations to the department."]

SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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BY REQUEST