STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 541
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 Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, 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 is compliant 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 finds that the Division of
Conservation and Resources Enforcement of the Department of Land and Natural
Resources has vast responsibility for enforcing state laws related to natural
and cultural resources on over one million acres of state land and three
million acres of state ocean waters.
Your Committee further finds that unmanned aircraft systems, commonly
known as drones, provide a unique and powerful tool for monitoring potentially
illegal activity on public lands and can aid effective enforcement. This modern enforcement tool can provide an
efficient, cost-effective, and valuable method of obtaining admissible evidence
for enforcement proceedings, as well as deter illegal conduct on public lands.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs 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 be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,
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____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair |
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