STAND. COM. REP. NO. 401-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2413

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 2413 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE PARKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a feasibility study on a revenue-generating and management system of user fees for Hawaii's state parks.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the League of Women Voters of Hawaii, Ko‘olau Foundation, and Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that the increase in user fees at Diamond Head State Monument has proven to be significantly profitable and beneficial to provide needed revenue for natural resource management. Another successful endeavor has occurred at Haena State Park, where advance reservations are required for all vehicles, walk-in entries, shuttle riders, and hikers. Your Committee further finds that it is necessary and prudent for the State to explore how the Department of Land and Natural Resources can expand these types of revenue-generating and management methods so that Hawaii's state parks, state monuments, state recreation areas, and wilderness parks can be enhanced for residents and visitors alike.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

(2) 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 Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2413, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2413, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair