STAND. COM. REP. NO.
Honolulu, Hawaii
APR 0 3 2024
RE: S.R. No. 70
S. D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2024
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and
Military Affairs, to which was referred S.R. No. 70 entitled:
"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT TO CONVENE A SEARCH AND RESCUE WORKING GROUP TO
DEVELOP AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO DETER HIKERS FROM
ENTERING ILLEGAL HIKING TRAILS AND TO ADDRESS RISING SEARCH
AND RESCUE COSTS FACING THE STATE AND COUNTIES DUE TO
INCREASED ILLEGAL HIKING TRAFFIC,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the
Department of Law Enforcement to convene a Search and Rescue
Working Group to develop and make recommendations to deter hikers
from entering illegal hiking trails and to address rising search
and rescue costs facing the State and counties due to increased
illegal hiking traffic.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from the Department of Law Enforcement and two individuals.
Your Committee finds that the coronavirus disease 2019
pandemic has increased outdoor activity around the world,
specifically hiking in Hawaii. Your Committee further finds that
some individuals and groups unlawfully enter trails that have been
closed to the public due to safety concerns, ultimately putting
themselves at risk of significant injury and risking damage to
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 STAND. COM. REP. NO.
Page 2
native habitats and other natural resources that may be in those
closed areas for preservation purposes. Your Committee concludes
that because of the considerable costs associated with the search
and rescue of individuals who wilfully disregard their and others'
safety by ignoring warning signs, it is critical to develop
policies that encourage public safety and accountability.
Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical,
nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and
consistency.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military
Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs
with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 70, as amended herein, and
recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R.
No. 70, S.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on
behalf of the members of the
Committee on Public Safety and
Intergovernmental and Military
Affairs,
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 The Senate
Thirty-Second Legislature
State of Hawaii
Record of Votes
Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs
PSM
Bill / Resolution No.:* Committee Referral:
■PS VI
__ The Committee is reconsidering its previous decision on this measJfe.
If so, then the previous decision was to: ______________________________________
The Recommendation is: X
__ Pass, unamended |_^ Pass, with amendments __ Hold __ Recommit
2312 2311 2310 2313
Members Aye (WR) Nay Excused
WAKAI. Glenn (C)
ELEFANTE, Brandon J.C. (VC)
FUKUNAGA, Carol
RHOADS, Karl
AWA, Brenton
Recommendation:
TOTAL
4- f (
M Adopted __ Not Adopted
Chair’s or Designee’s Signature:^__
Distribution: Original / Ye^ / Pink Goldenrod
File with Committee Report 1 ClerJiqOfficez Drafting Agency Committee File Copy
*Only one meagre per Record of Votes
Revised: 01/09/24