STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 659
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2023
RE: H.B. No. 1134
H.D. 1
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2023
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1134 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO KANEOHE BAY,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to protect Kaneohe Bay and its waters by:
(1) Prohibiting commercial ocean use activity in Kaneohe Bay waters without a permit; and
(2) Prohibiting any person from advertising any commercial ocean use activity in Kaneohe Bay waters for which the person does not have a permit, lease, or license.
Your Committee finds that this measure would help protect the natural and cultural resources of Kaneohe Bay from abuse and exploitation by commercial ocean use activities.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Adding a definition of "commercial ocean recreational equipment";
(2) Changing its effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
Your Committee notes the concerns raised by the Department of Land and Natural Resources that unpermitted commercial activity is a pervasive problem statewide and does not occur only at Kaneohe Bay and that to effectively monitor for illegal commercial ocean use activity across Hawaii, the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation would need additional staffing or the ability to re-allocate existing staff to monitor ocean recreation activities.
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. 1134, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1134, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,
|
|
|
____________________________ LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair |
|
|
|
|