STAND. COM. REP. NO. 459-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2361

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 2361 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE KANEOHE BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require:

(1) The Department of Land and Natural Resources to provide administrative support to the Kaneohe Bay Regional Council;

(2) The Chairperson of the Kaneohe Bay Regional Council to be considered from among all voting and nonvoting members and to be selected by the voting members on an annual and rotating basis; and

(3) The Kaneohe Bay Regional Council to meet quarterly.

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

Your Committee finds that the Kaneohe Bay Regional Council was established to serve as a community-based advisory body to the Department of Land and Natural Resources on the management, use, and protection of Kaneohe Bay. The Council provides a vital forum for stakeholder input, coordinating the perspectives of residents, cultural practitioners, environmental groups, fishers, and commercial operators to ensure the sustainable use of Kaneohe Bay. Your Committee further finds that this measure strengthens the Council's ability to fulfill its important advisory role.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2361, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2361, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair