STAND. COM. REP. NO. 766-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1872

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1872, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUSTAINABILITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require:

(1) The Department of Land and Natural Resources to recognize that:

(A) Game birds and mammals can provide a sustainable food source that merits appropriate resource management to support viable populations sufficient for hunting;

(B) Proper management of game populations in appropriate areas minimizes their impacts and provides important benefits; and

(C) The State's unique relationship with the ocean requires careful consideration and management of land and ocean activities that prioritize the public trust responsibilities of the State; and

(2) Each department, office, or agency of the State to update its rules and policies to integrate local hunting and fishing industries into any food security or sustainability strategies that the department, office, or agency employs.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii County Game Management Advisory Commission; Hawaii Firearms Coalition; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; and six individuals. 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, Good Shepherd Foundation, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and four individuals.

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. 1872, 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