STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2733

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 Ways and Means, 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 moneys to the Hawaii Island Branch of the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to expand its fleet of patrol vehicles and vessels.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Kuaaina Ulu `Auamo, The Nature Conservancy, and six individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement of the Department of Land and Natural Resources is preparing to establish a new academy in 2026, and that a significant number of the incoming conservation and resources enforcement officers will be assigned to the Hawaii Island Branch of the agency. Your Committee further finds that the Hawaii Island Branch has a critical shortage of vehicles and vessels. Accordingly, your Committee finds that this measure will provide the necessary funds to purchase additional patrol vehicles and vessels to support the conservation and resources enforcement operations on Hawaii Island.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means 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 Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair