STAND. COM. REP. NO. 351

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 70

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 70, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE CONSERVATION AND RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to obtain accreditation for the Department's conservation and resources enforcement program from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that this measure will restore the accreditation requirement that was in effect prior to the enactment of Act 183, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021 (Act 183). More specifically, Act 183 inadvertently repealed the entirety of section 134-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, including the requirement that the conservation and resources enforcement program meet the law enforcement accreditation or recognition standards of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., in the use of electric guns. Your Committee also finds that the program-wide accreditation required by this measure will ensure that the program more broadly meets current law enforcement standards.

Your Committee notes the request of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to change the deadline for obtaining accreditation from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2029. Your Committee respectfully requests that this amendment be considered as the measure moves forward in the legislative process.

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. 70, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair