STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3745

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1553

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 1553, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HABITAT CONSERVATION PLANS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require any existing habitat conservation plan that does not include an agreement for emergency medical and rehabilitation services for affected native wildlife to be amended to include the services in the agreement.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Kauaʻi Island Utility Cooperative.

Your Committee finds that wildlife rehabilitation centers provide essential emergency medical and rehabilitation services for native wildlife that suffer from a range of anthropogenic impacts. Some existing habitat conservation plans do not include an agreement for emergency medical and rehabilitation services and rely on the availability of these services in the event that injured native wildlife require care. Requiring existing habitat conservation plans to be amended to include an agreement for emergency medical and rehabilitation services will help establish responsible pathways, clarify roles and responsibilities, and reduce confusion during time-sensitive situations involving injured wildlife. This measure will strengthen the presence of proven support pathways for the protection and care of native wildlife statewide.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1553, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair