STAND. COM. REP. NO. 226-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1656

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1656 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRAILS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to adequately address the Nā Ala Hele program's needs regarding the protection and expansion of public trail access statewide by appropriating funds for the establishment of a permanent full-time equivalent Land and Access Specialist position and a permanent full-time equivalent Abstractor position within the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Ka Makani O Kohala Ohana, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

You Committee finds that the appropriations for staff positions in this measure will enhance the Department of Land and Natural Resources' capacity to develop and maintain trails and associated infrastructure; creatively recruit and manage volunteer groups; and address action items identified in the island-based Destination Management Action Plans, which were developed in coordination with the Hawaii Tourism Authority for the protection of Hawaii's natural and cultural resources for all users.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting the amounts of the appropriations;

(2) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it choose to hear this measure, to consider appropriating $84,730 for the Land and Access Specialist IV position and $82,653 for the Abstractor X position.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1656, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1656, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair