HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1902

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO HUNTING.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the enhancement and maintenance of sustainable public hunting opportunities for subsistence and recreational purposes are of critical importance to the State and its people.  A coordinated resource management effort involving stakeholders is needed to prevent and offset the loss, destruction, or degradation of public hunting areas on any island of the State and expeditiously find replacement land for hunting.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 183D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§183D-     Hunting advisory commission.  (a)  There is established within the department a hunting advisory commission, which shall serve in an advisory capacity to the board.  The commission shall consist of twelve members to be appointed by the governor in the manner provided in section 26-34.  The commission shall meet not less than quarterly.  Membership on the advisory commission shall consist of:

     (1)  Two members of the department having experience in sustainable game management principles and practices, to be designated by the chairperson of the board;

     (2)  One member from the division of conservation and resource enforcement;

     (3)  Five members of the hunting community, of which there shall be one member for each of the following geographic areas: Oahu, Kauai, Maui, east Hawaii, and west Hawaii;

     (4)  Executive director of the aha moku advisory council;

     (5)  One member who is a scientist with expertise in the field of mammalogy or ornithology;

     (6)  One member representing the endangered species recovery committee; and

     (7)  One member representing the tourism industry.

     (b)  The commission shall select its own chairperson.  The members shall receive no compensation for their services on the commission but shall be entitled to reimbursement for necessary expenses while attending meetings and while in the discharge of their duties.

     (c)  The commission shall advise the board on proposals to enhance and maintain to enhance and maintain the quantity and quality of public hunting areas.

     (d)  The commission shall consult with the board on any matter affecting hunting, including proposed rules.  The commission may take testimony and acquire information as it desires and shall communicate its findings and recommendations to the board."

     SECTION 3.  (a)  There is established a hunting pilot program on the island of Hawaii.  The program shall be an undertaking of the hunting advisory commission established pursuant to section 2 of this Act.  The hunting advisory commission shall:

     (1)  Recommend to the department of land and natural resources which public lands on the island of Hawaii shall be designated as public hunting areas while preserving designated watershed areas that are protected in accordance with law; and

     (2)  Implement a game management plan or hunting plan for the island of Hawaii after consultation with the hunting community on the island of Hawaii and the appropriate county agency having jurisdiction over hunting and natural resource preservation.

     (b)  The hunting advisory commission shall report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2015 and each session thereafter on its efforts to comply with this section and the results thereof, including a description of its activities in the year preceding the report.

     (c)  This section shall be repealed on June 30, 2020.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $110,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2014-2015 for the administrative expenses of the hunting advisory commission established pursuant to section 2 of this Act; provided that the funds appropriated shall be matched dollar-for-dollar by the county of Hawaii.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2014.

 



 

Report Title:

DLNR; Hunting; Hunting Advisory Commission; Report; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes the hunting advisory commission.  Establishes a hunting pilot program on the island of Hawaii.  Makes an appropriation for the hunting advisory commission.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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