STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2974

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2546

S.D. 1

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. 2546, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUNTING GUIDES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require hunting guides to:

(1) Obtain written permission from the owners of private lands before taking their clients to hunt on the private land; and

(2) Submit a copy of the written permission to the Department of Land and Natural Resources as part of their annual reports.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Kealia Ranch; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and twelve individuals.

Your Committee finds that unpermitted hunting on private land is extremely dangerous for both the landowner and the hunter. While existing law forbids hunters from hunting on private lands without the landowner's consent, recent incidents of livestock slaughtering, theft, vandalism, crop destruction, and poaching have become prevalent throughout the State. Your Committee further finds that more is needed to help farmers, ranchers, and private land owners to manage responsible access to their lands. Therefore, this measure addresses the concerns of landowners by enforcing proper management of hunting activities.

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. 2546, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair