STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1005

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1200

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1200, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE CONSERVATION AND RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require and appropriate funds for the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish an Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program that complies with federal and state laws;

(2) Authorize the use of unmanned aircraft systems to monitor, investigate, and obtain admissible evidence of natural and cultural resource violations; and

(3) Beginning January 1, 2027, require a biennial report to the Legislature on the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and two 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. 1200, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair