Bill Text: HI SB2156 | 2016 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii Senate Bill 2156 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Wildlife; DLNR; Multi-jurisdictional Agreement; Appropriation ($)

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2016-04-29 - Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-29-16 5:05pm in conference room 224. [SB2156 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-SB2156-Amended.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2156
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 3

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO WILDLIFE.

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

PART I

SECTION 1. The interstate wildlife violator compact is a multistate agreement that promotes enforcement of hunting, fishing, trapping, and other wildlife related regulations across jurisdictions. For example, the interstate wildlife violator compact would prevent wildlife violators who have lost their hunting, fishing, trapping, or other wildlife related privileges in other member states from obtaining a hunting license in Hawaii. Similarly, persons who have been punished with license revocation in Hawaii would be barred from engaging in those activities in another state. The compact also establishes a process by which nonresident wildlife law violators can be treated as state residents for purposes of law enforcement, thereby easing the administrative burden on the enforcement agency and reducing enforcement gaps that may allow the violator to fail to comply with the terms of the citation. The legislature finds that reciprocity agreements such as the interstate wildlife violator compact are an important part of any law enforcement effort.

The interstate wildlife violator compact is modeled after the successful multistate driver license compact and nonresident violator compact, and Hawaii is party to both compacts. Forty-seven states have passed legislation necessary to join the interstate wildlife violator compact.

The legislature further finds that existing member states to the interstate wildlife violator compact have reported little to no added costs or administrative burdens associated with participating in the compact. The information system that facilitates participation is available for free to member states.

The purpose of this part is to allow the department of land and natural resources to become a member of the interstate wildlife violator compact or similar agreement.

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- Interstate wildlife violator compact. (a) The department may enter into the interstate wildlife violator compact or similar agreement, whether in the form of a memorandum of understanding, written agreement, or mutual aid compact, with an appropriate state, federal, or foreign entity for mutual assistance in the enforcement of hunting, fishing, and other wildlife laws, rules, or regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

(b) The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary for enforcement of the agreement entered into pursuant to subsection (a)."

PART II

SECTION 3. The legislature finds that in order to provide effective stewardship and management of Hawaii's marine resources for sustainable use by its residents and visitors, the division of aquatic resources of the department of land and natural resources shall conduct a comprehensive statewide science based assessment of its ocean resources. The purpose of this part is to permanently establish a management plan which includes establishing baselines, regular monitoring, scheduled periodic reviews and assessments for the effective stewardship of the State's marine resources, and balancing conservation efforts with public non-exclusive uses and consumptive uses. Marine resource management initiatives proposing exclusive or non-public use of an area shall be reviewed only after the completion of this assessment and implemented in accordance with the management plan.

PART III

SECTION 4. 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 department of land and natural resources to enter into the interstate wildlife violator compact or similar agreement.

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, 2051.

Report Title:

Wildlife; DLNR; Multi-jurisdictional Agreement; Appropriation

Description:

Authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to enter into the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact or similar agreement for mutual assistance in the enforcement of wildlife laws. Requires the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources to conduct a statewide science based assessment of its ocean resources. Appropriates funds. (SB2156 HD3)

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