STAND. COM. REP. NO. 717

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 439

S.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 439 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FEES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules to impose user fees that apply solely to nonresidents visiting state parks and trails selected by the Board.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Kua`aina Ulu `Auamo (KUA), Resources Legacy Fund, Care for `Aina Now Coalition, Coalition Earth, and one individual.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of State Parks; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; and Tax Foundation of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that the fees anticipated by this measure will assist the Department of Land and Natural Resources in defraying the cost of maintaining state parks and trails without imposing an undue burden on state residents.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 439, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 439, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for 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