STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2963

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2721

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2721, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to clarify that violation of part I of chapter 200, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to ocean recreation and coastal areas, or any rules adopted thereunder are subject to criminal penalties.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Maui Chamber of Commerce.

Your Committee finds that without sufficient penalties to deter repeat violations, the rates of illegal activities at small boat harbors and boating facilities will remain the same or increase. This measure will help the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement of the Department of Land and Natural Resources respond to instances of vandalism, theft, trespassing, and squatting at small boat harbors and boating facilities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting a savings clause; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2721, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2721, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair