STAND. COM. REP. NO. 358

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 1025

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 Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1025 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FUNDING FOR THE DIVISION OF CONSERVATION AND RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allocate a portion of the Conveyance Tax to the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to partially cover operational costs related to upholding the laws that serve to protect, conserve, and manage Hawaii's unique and limited natural, cultural, and historic resources.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, For the Fishes, and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawai‘i Association of REALTORS.

Your Committee finds that while tourism is the primary economic driver for the State, it is Hawaii's natural beauty and resources that attract visitors. This measure ensures that adequate funding is provided to preserve and protect Hawaii's natural resources for the current and future residents of the State and its economy.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Making a conforming amendment to allow Conveyance Tax revenues to be deposited into the Conservation and Resources Enforcement Special Fund;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) 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 Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1025, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1025, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair