STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3691

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2471

H.D. 2

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2471, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a statutory framework for inspections of public land leases or licenses by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, including by third-party inspectors contracted by the Department.

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

Your Committees find that under chapter 171, Hawaii Revised Statutes, and the terms and conditions of the various land dispositions approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (Department) has the authority to periodically inspect the premises under lease, license, or revocable permit. However, the Department's land agents are typically not architects, engineers, or licensed contractors and may not be qualified to identify components of existing structures on the premises in need of repair or replacement. To address this, the House Investigative Committee established under House Resolution No. 164 (2021) recommended that the Department select third-party inspectors to conduct physical inspections of leased properties at the expense of the lessee. This measure will ensure that long-term dispositions like leases and licenses are properly inspected and that all necessary corrective actions as determined by qualified inspectors are taken.

Your Committees have amended this measure by making it effective on July 1, 2024.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2471, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2471, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair