The state Legislature failed to pass a hunting bill because of questions over funding.
The bill in its final version would have created a statewide hunting advisory commission and established a pilot program on the Big Island that would have involved cooperation between hunters and the state on game management.
Initially, the bill would have required the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to replace hunting lands lost to conservation, but that language was removed after the department said it was unworkable.
Rep. Cindy Evans, who introduced the bill, said a dedicated funding source couldn’t be identified late in the session, which ends today. Lawmakers wanted to tap the wildlife revolving fund, but DLNR said it didn’t have enough money available, she said.
“They were thinking $200,000 a year,” Evans said.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.