STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1301-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 3179

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water & Land and Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 3179, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Forestry and Wildlife to conduct a pilot program for feral axis deer herd population management on the islands of Maui, Molokai, and Lanai.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from one member of the Maui County Council; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Maui Chamber of Commerce; and two individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Budget and Finance, and Animal Rights Hawai‘i.

Your Committees find 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.

Your Committees further find, however, that bounties to hunters have been found to be generally ineffective in animal management and have often actually resulted in population increases of the target species. Problems include fraud, such as bringing in evidence of kills from animals outside the target area; deliberate release of breeding animals; or purposely leaving some animals behind to ensure future income. Moreover, trespass violations could increase drastically on private lands on which target species congregate. Your Committees recognize that a great deal of literature on the subject matter indicates that bounties are ineffectual or counterproductive and interfere with other, more-effective methods of animal population management.

Accordingly, your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting the pilot program; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water & Land and Agriculture that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3179, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3179, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water & Land and Agriculture,

____________________________ MARK J. HASHEM, Chair

____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair