STAND. COM. REP. NO. 894-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2471

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2471, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INSPECTIONS ON PUBLIC LAND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a framework for inspections of public land leases, licenses, and revocable permits by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

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

Your Committee finds that although the Department of Land and Natural Resources has the authority to periodically inspect premises that are under lease, license, or revocable permit, its land agents are typically not architects, engineers, or licensed contractors and may not be qualified to identify components of existing structures on the premises that are in need of repair or replacement. Your Committee further finds that even if the Department's agents do identify items requiring repair or replacement, the Department lacks the leverage to compel lessees to make the necessary repairs or replacements under existing lease terms. This measure is intended to improve the safety and sustainability of leased public lands by establishing a regulatory framework for the inspection of public land leases, licenses, and revocable permits by the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 2471, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2471, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair