STAND. COM. REP. NO.  931

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 588

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 588, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR HE‘EIA NATIONAL ESTUARINE RESEARCH RESERVE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support He‘eia estuary in its designation as a National Estuarine Research Reserve by appropriating funds for Fiscal Year 2018-2019 for the initial staff positions that are necessary to develop and manage He‘eia Reserve and its programs.  This measure also clarifies the State's authority to exercise oversight of any third-party recipient of funds.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Kamehameha Schools, Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaii, and many individuals supported this measure.  The Office of Planning, University of Hawaii, Hawaii Community Development Authority, and one individual provided comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 588, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair