STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2751

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2944

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 Ways and Means, 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 and intent of this measure is to give state and county officials greater authority to enforce wildlife protections and viewing guidelines that currently exist in federal law.

More specifically, the measure:

(1) Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules implementing wildlife viewing guidelines that substantially conform to the wildlife viewing guidelines issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and

(2) Specifies that violations of the rules will be subject to statutory penalties.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received written 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, which routinely bask, rest, recover, and give birth on the State's shores. Your Committee believes that responsible wildlife-viewing practices must protect these animals, support public safety, and remain consistent with the State's cultural and environmental values. While federal protections and federal viewing guidelines exist for certain marine species, deterrence, investigations, and enforcement can be difficult. Accordingly, your Committee finds that establishing similar provisions in state administrative rules will enable state and county enforcement personnel to take appropriate actions and to provide greater protections for the State's native marine wildlife.

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. 2944, S.D. 1, 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