STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1287-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 573

S.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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 573, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WILDLIFE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require all habitat conservation plans to include an agreement for plan participants to enter into and maintain an annual service contract with a stand-by and response facility available to provide emergency medical and rehabilitation services to native wildlife affected by activities undertaken within the plan area.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, one member of the Hawai‘i County Council, Hawai‘i Wildlife Center, Center for Biological Diversity, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that state conservation law requires that each habitat conservation plan identify the steps that will be taken to mitigate the impact of any incidental take to the maximum extent practicable. A service agreement with a facility capable of providing emergency medical and rehabilitation services could help to fulfill this requirement in the event of injured wildlife and provide the wildlife with a better chance of survival.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 573, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair