STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2514

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2756

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.B. No. 2756 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONSERVATION ENFORCEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the purchase of equipment for the Hawaii Island Branch of the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; one member of the Hawaiʻi County Council; The Nature Conservancy, Hawaiʻi and Palmyra; Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAuamo; Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force; and nine individuals.

Your Committee finds that effective enforcement of conservation and natural resource laws is imperative for the well‑being of the public and the environment but difficult to accomplish on Hawaii Island due to its vast coastlines, forest reserves, conservation districts, and culturally significant natural resources. Though the Hawaii Island Branch of the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) continues to play a vital role in this enforcement, DOCARE faces severe equipment and vehicle shortages that limit their operational capacity. This measure will increase the capability of DOCARE to enforce conservation and natural resource laws on Hawaii Island by appropriating funds for DOCARE to purchase the equipment necessary for it to effectively carry out its mission.

Your Committee notes that this measure contains an appropriation for an unspecified amount. Should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it consider asking DOCARE for its requested amount and inserting an appropriate amount.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2756 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts,

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CHRIS LEE, Chair