STAND. COM. REP. NO. 826

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1173

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1173, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OCEAN STEWARDSHIP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate stewardship of the State's ocean resources.

Specifically, the measure:

(1) Establishes the ocean stewardship special fund for the conservation, restoration, and enhancement of the State's marine resources; and

(2) Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules pursuant to Chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to establish non-resident user fees for the use and enjoyment of the State's ocean resources, to be deposited into the ocean stewardship special fund.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Kuaaina Ulu Auamo, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, Hui o Hoohonua, The Nature Conservancy, Kauhako Ohana Association, and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition of this measure from the Ocean Tourism Coalition.

Your Committee finds that this measure will facilitate a sustainable source of funding to assist the Department of Land and Natural Resources in advancing the management, research, restoration, and enhancement of the State's marine resources.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1173, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1173, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair