Hawaii House Bill HCR31

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/3/22
• Refer: 3/8/22

Caption

Requesting State Law Enforcement Entities, Including The Department Of The Attorney General, Sheriff Division Of The Department Of Public Safety, And Harbors Division Of The Department Of Transportation, To Collaborate With The Division Of Conservation And Resources Enforcement Of The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Support Its Mission.

Impact

The resolution highlights the pressing challenges faced by DOCARE, notably its limited staffing—having only around one hundred officers to oversee vast areas of state-owned land and natural resources. With the lack of adequate enforcement presence, violations such as illegal gatherings and sewage dumping have occurred, underscoring the need for enhanced collaboration among law enforcement entities to bolster the state's efforts in resource protection. Improved coordination is aimed at addressing these enforcement shortcomings, ultimately benefitting both residents and visitors to Hawaii.

Summary

House Concurrent Resolution 31 (HCR31) requests collaboration among various state law enforcement entities, such as the Attorney General's office, the Sheriff Division of the Department of Public Safety, and the Harbors Division of the Department of Transportation. The intention is to support the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) within the Department of Land and Natural Resources, which is responsible for enforcing laws pertaining to state lands and natural resources across Hawaii. HCR31 emphasizes the importance of protecting Hawaii's unique cultural and natural resources, which are integral to the state's environment and tourism industry.

Contention

While there may be broad support for the overarching goals of HCR31—to enhance the state's ability to manage and protect its natural resources—there may be concerns regarding how this collaboration will be executed in practice. Issues could revolve around allocation of resources among the various agencies and how to implement effective strategies to ensure compliance with laws protecting Hawaii's environment. Any debates on potential overlaps in authority and the adequacy of funding for these initiatives could arise as the resolution progresses through the legislative process.