STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1529-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2944

S.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 2944, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONSERVATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules to implement wildlife viewing guidelines that substantially conform to the wildlife viewing guidelines issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from eight individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's beaches are essential habitats for native marine wildlife, including Hawaiian green sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals. Your Committee believes that responsible wildlife viewing practices must protect these animals, support public safety, and remain consistent with the cultural and environmental values of the State. Your Committee further finds that implementing clear and enforceable state rules that complement existing federal protections would improve compliance, raise public awareness, and enable state and county enforcement personnel to take appropriate action to protect the State's native marine wildlife.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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 S.B. No. 2944, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2944, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair