STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2073

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2351

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 2351 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE LAND CONSERVATION FUND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Increase the percentage of the Land Conservation Fund that may be used for costs related to the operation, maintenance, and management of lands acquired by the fund;

(2) Increase the maximum dollar amount of the conveyance tax distribution to the Land Conservation Fund; and

(3) Appropriate funds from the Land Conservation Fund for the resource land acquisition.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Ke Ao Hali‘i, Sierra Club Maui, Ma‘alaea Village Association, Livable Hawaii Kai Hui, and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Hawai‘i Association of REALTORS. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Hawai‘i Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, and The Trust for Public Land.

Your Committee finds that previous caps on the conveyance tax reduced Land Conservation Fund revenues. However, recent escalation in real estate market values has eroded the buying power of the Land Conservation Fund relative to its inception. Various heritage, recreational, biological, and cultural sites and lands across the State have been supported through contributions and key resources from the Land Conservation Fund. This measure will continue to support many cultural and recreational lands across the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2351, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2351, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair