THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	3179
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 2

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the overpopulation of axis deer poses a significant threat to the ecological security and the health of local communities on several islands, especially in Maui county. Axis deer overpopulation and drought conditions on Maui, Molokai, and Lanai have led to large numbers of widespread axis deer, which in turn has created a nuisance and threat to the local community.

The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Require the department of land and natural resources' division of forestry and wildlife to adopt rules and issue funds to licensed hunters at a per unit rate;

(2) Appropriate funds for the department of land and natural resources' division of forestry and wildlife; and

(3) Establish three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) technician positions who are supplied with the necessary equipment,

to assist with feral axis deer herd population management on the islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of land and natural resources' division of forestry and wildlife shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for feral axis deer herd management. The rules shall:

(1) Establish the lands on which licensed hunters may operate for the hunting of feral axis deer in cooperation with private land owners;

(2) Provide that only female feral axis deer may be hunted;

(3) Require the entire carcass of a feral axis deer to be submitted to the division by licensed hunters;

(4) Establish the per unit rate to be claimed by a hunter for submission of a feral axis deer;

(5) Establish bag limits for hunters to claim per unit rates;

(6) Establish time periods in which licensed hunters of feral axis deer may operate; and

(7) Establish any other parameters the division may deem necessary to carry out this section.

(b) The department of land and natural resources' division of forestry and wildlife shall issue funds to licensed hunters at a per unit rate as determined by the division pursuant to subsection (a).

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the following:

(1) The division of forestry and wildlife to assist with feral axis deer herd population management on the islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai;

(2) The purchase of an Infrared Unit B2-FO for the purpose of game management and collecting and tracking accurate herd counts;

(3) Three full-time equivalent (3.0 FTE) technician positions within the Maui branch of the division of forestry and wildlife (one for Maui, one for Molokai, and one for Lanai) to assist in managing new and existing hunting areas, assist with injured deer, distribute traps to control nuisance deer, and work with ranchers to establish hunting programs or control work on ranchlands; and

(4) The purchase of three vehicles, three deer traps, three trailers, ten satellite deer collars for tracking, and other equipment and helicopter rental fees required by the technicians to carry out their duties.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

DLNR; Maui County; Axis Deer Herd Population Management; Rules; Positions; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the department of land and natural resources' division of forestry and wildlife to adopt rules and issue funds to licensed hunters at a per unit rate for feral axis deer herd management. Appropriates funds to and establishes three full-time equivalent technician positions for the department of land and natural resources to manage axis deer populations in Maui county. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD2)

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