STAND. COM. REP. NO. 404

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 772

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 772, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to authorize the issuance to any registered owner of a motor vehicle special number plates to benefit forest and ocean conservation.

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Authorizes the Director of Finance of each county to issue special number plates to benefit forest and ocean conservation;

(2) Requires the Director of Finance of the City and County of Honolulu to design the special number plates based on certain guidelines;

(3) Requires the Director of Finance of each county to charge a special number plate fee and fundraising fee;

(4) Provides that the revenue generated by the applicable fundraising fees be deposited into the forest stewardship fund, for special number plates issued to benefit forest conservation, or the beach restoration special fund, for special number plates issued to benefit ocean conservation; and

(5) Increases the special number plate initial application and renewal fees from $25 to $100.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Surfrider Foundation Maui Chapter, Surfrider Foundation Oahu Chapter, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's forests, beaches, and nearshore waters are culturally and naturally unique and vital to maintaining the health and well-being of Hawaii's residents. Your Committee believes that providing dedicated funding sources for forest and ocean conservation will help to ensure that Hawaii's forests, beaches, and nearshore waters are adequately managed and maintained.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments 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. 772, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 772, S.D. 2.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair