THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

70

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the conservation and resources enforcement program.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the conservation and resources enforcement program of the department of land and natural resources shoulders responsibilities that are integral to preserving the public peace and safety.  Specifically, the program is responsible for enforcing laws on public lands and waters of the State.

     The legislature recognizes that proper training, equipment, and organizational support are imperative to the success of law enforcement officers in the conservation and resources enforcement program.  To this end, the department of land and natural resources division of conservation and resources enforcement established an academy to better train law enforcement officers.

     The legislature further finds that the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., created in 1979, serves as a law enforcement credentialing authority through collaboration with law enforcement executive associations.  The Honolulu and Maui police departments are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., and the sheriff division of the department of public safety is required to obtain accreditation pursuant to section 353C-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     The legislature further recognizes that the conservation and resources enforcement program was previously required to obtain accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.  As recently as 2020, the conservation and resources enforcement program was required to obtain accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., in the use of electric guns, but Act 183, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, inadvertently repealed that requirement when it repealed the entirety of section 134‑16, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the department of land and natural resources to seek and obtain accreditation for the conservation and resources enforcement program from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.

     SECTION 2.  No later than June 30, 2025, the department of land and natural resources shall pursue and obtain accreditation for the conservation and resources enforcement program from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.

     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 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the department of land and natural resources to pursue and obtain accreditation for the conservation and resources enforcement program from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.

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

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2023.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Department of Land and Natural Resources; Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement; Law Enforcement; Accreditation; Appropriation

 

Description:

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to pursue and obtain accreditation for the Conservation and Resources Enforcement Program from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.  Appropriates funds.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.