STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2230

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.C.R. No. 227

S.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 S.C.R. No. 227, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO IMPLEMENT AN IMMEDIATE FINE FOR GROUNDED VESSELS THAT HAVE REASONABLY CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT OR CREATED A MATERIAL BURDEN ON THE STATE FOR ITS REMOVAL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources to implement an immediate fine for grounded vessels that have reasonably caused damage to the environment or created a material burden on the State for their removal.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and one individual.

Your Committee finds that an immediate fine for grounded vessels could serve as a deterrence to irresponsible vessel owners and also provide a partial reimbursement to the State for the costs of removing the vessels.

Your Committee notes the suggestion of the Department of Land and Natural Resources that an exception be included for an unpredictable weather event akin to an "act of God" and that any fines collected should be deposited into the Boating Special Fund, which is the fund that the Department uses to remove vessels when necessary.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 227, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair