STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3685

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2484

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 2484, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE PARKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources to purchase ocean safety and rescue equipment for state ocean safety officers at state parks.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, City and County of Honolulu's Ocean Safety and Lifeguard Services Division, Kohala Coast Resort Association, Hawaiian Lifeguard Association, MCBH Kaneohe Bay Beach Lifeguard Department, Friend of Hanauma Bay, and nine individuals.

Your Committee finds that state ocean safety officers, also known as lifeguards, act as the primary responders for emergencies on shorelines and within nearshore waters at state parks, where the majority of ocean recreational activities take place. These ocean safety officers provide injury control and dispatch ocean rescue services to prevent drownings. This measure will appropriate funds for the Department of Land and Natural Resources to purchase essential equipment for state ocean safety officers so that they can continue to ensure public safety at Hawaii's state parks.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Incorporating amendments proposed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources by inserting the appropriation amounts for the purchase of ocean safety and rescue equipment for state ocean safety officers at state parks; 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 Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2484, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2484, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

________________________________

KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair