HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1041

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 of public hunting areas and hunter opportunities on any island of the State and expeditiously find replacement land for hunting.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a game management advisory commission to serve in an advisory capacity to the board of land and natural resources.

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

     "§183D-    Game management advisory commission.  (a)  There is established within the department a game management advisory commission, which shall serve in an advisory capacity to the board.  The game management advisory commission shall consist of nine members to be appointed by the governor in the manner provided in section 26-34.  Membership on the game management advisory commission shall include:

     (1)  One member from the county of Kauai;

     (2)  Three members from the county of Maui, with one member from each of the islands of Maui, Lanai, and Molokai;

     (3)  Two members from the county of Hawaii, with one member from east Hawaii and one member from west Hawaii;

     (4)  One member from the city and county of Honolulu;

     (5)  One at-large member; and

     (6)  The chairperson of the board of land and natural resources or the chairperson's designated representative, who shall serve as an ex officio voting member;

provided that each member, other than the chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, shall be a hunter licensed in the State of Hawaii under chapter 183D; at least one member shall have knowledge, experience, and expertise in the area of native Hawaiian cultural practices; and no more than three members shall represent, be employed by, or be under contract to any sector of government.

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

     (c)  The game management advisory commission may recommend policies and criteria regarding the management, protection, and promotion of public hunting in Hawaii and may recommend amendments to existing department policies and procedures relating to hunting, particularly regarding chapter 183D and chapters 13-122, 13-123, and 13-124, Hawaii Administrative Rules.

     (d)  The game management advisory commission shall:

     (1)  Consult and advise the board on any matter affecting hunting, including proposed rules and regulations;

     (2)  Assist in the evaluation and development of game management plans as appropriate or required and any changes to those plans as necessary;

     (3)  Assist in establishing criteria to be used in determining whether an area is suitable for hunting;

     (4)  Advise on studies of areas for sustainable yield game production or enhancement;

     (5)  Recommend to the board the areas that are suitable for game production or enhancement;

     (6)  Recommend policies and criteria regarding the management, protection, and permitted uses of areas that are used for hunting;

     (7)  Assist the department in developing ways and means to extend and strengthen game management areas, other designated hunting areas, and mixed-use areas within the State;

     (8)  In carrying out its duties, consult the most comprehensive up-to-date compilation of scientific data;

     (9)  Make recommendations relating to the process of hunting rules modification;

    (10)  Collaborate with agencies and other persons who gather information and implement hunting programs and data;

    (11)  Take testimony and acquire information as it desires and communicate its findings and recommendations to the board; and

    (12)  Assist the department on policies, plans, and procedures related to the control of game mammals.

     (e)  Any action taken by the game management advisory commission shall be by a simple majority of its members.  Five members shall constitute a quorum.

     (f)  All meetings of the game management advisory commission shall be conducted subject to chapter 92.

     (g)  Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the game management advisory commission shall be subject to sections 26-34, 26-35, 26-35.5, and 26-36.

     (h)  The department shall provide administrative support to the game management advisory commission.  Federal moneys and other moneys that become available to the department may be used to offset administrative costs incurred by the department.

     (i)  The game managment advisory commission shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2017, and each regular session thereafter, on its efforts to comply with this section, including a summary of its activities during the year preceding the regular session for which the report was prepared.

     (j)  The game management advisory commission may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to implement this section."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the establishment of a game management advisory commission pursuant to this Act.

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

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.



 

Report Title:

Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hunting; Game Management Advisory Commission; Report; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes the Game Management Advisory Commission to serve in an advisory capacity to the Board of Land and Natural Resources.  Appropriates funds.  (HB1041 HD2)

 

 

 

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