STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1707

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 506

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 506, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONSERVATION ENFORCEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys for equipment to the Oahu Branch of the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Management.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Conservation Council of Hawaii, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Ocean Legislative Task Force, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, Kuaaina Ulu Auamo, Na Kama Kai, Nature Conservancy, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Department of Land and Natural Resources adopted statewide herbivore fishing rules in December 2023 to protect herbivorous fish populations in the State, which are critical for the health of valuable coral reefs. However, the Department has reported that enforcement of these rules has been particularly challenging around Oahu. Your Committee further finds that this measure will provide the Department with needed equipment to better enforce the herbivorous fishing rules.

Having received prior concurrence from the previous subject‑matter committee Chair, your Committee has amended this measure by adding appropriation allocations for personnel costs in Section 2 of the measure.

If a Committee on Conference is convened on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that the Committee on Conference consider the following appropriation amounts and allocations for personnel, equipment, and other costs added to Section 2 of the measure:

(1) $1,109,520 in both fiscal years for twenty full-time equivalent (20.0 FTE) conservation and resource enforcement officer I positions;

(2) $43,452 in both fiscal years for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) secretary position;

(3) $550,000 in both fiscal years for lodging and transportation costs;

(4) $300,000 in both fiscal years for academy tuition costs;

(5) $1,041,931 for education and training for the twenty full-time equivalent (20.0 FTE) conservation and resource enforcement officer I positions described in paragraph (1);

(6) $97,200 for uniforms and gear for the twenty full-time equivalent (20.0 FTE) conservation and resource enforcement officer I positions described in paragraph (1);

(7) $5,000 for miscellaneous office supplies;

(8) $500,000 for equipment for the twenty full-time equivalent (20.0 FTE) conservation and resource enforcement officer I positions described in paragraph (1);

(9) $15,000 for furniture and workspace set-up;

(7) $5,000 for information technology equipment; and

(8) $1,300,000 for enforcement vehicles for the twenty full‑time equivalent (20.0 FTE) conservation and resource enforcement officer I positions described in paragraph (1).

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 H.B. No. 506, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 506, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

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

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair