STAND. COM. REP. NO. 307

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 767

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 Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 767 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 require the Department of Land and Natural Resources, by June 30, 2025, to pursue and obtain accreditation for the Conservation and Resources Enforcement Program from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Kua‘āina Ulu ‘Auamo, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Conservation and Resources Enforcement Program of the Department of Land and Natural Resources is responsible for enforcing laws on public lands and waters of the State. Your Committee further finds that the Conservation and Resources Enforcement Program was previously required to obtain accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., but Act 183, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, inadvertently repealed that requirement. This measure ensures that the Conservation and Resources Enforcement Program obtains accreditation and supports the program's law enforcement officers with proper training, equipment, and organizational support.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Extending the deadline for the Department of Land and Natural Resources to pursue and obtain accreditation for the Conservation and Resources Enforcement Program to June 30, 2029; and

(2) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

Your Committee notes that it is awaiting information on the appropriate amount for the appropriation included in this measure, which is currently unspecified.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 767, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 767, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair