TMT-related bills split

HILO — A bill creating a petty misdemeanor for trespassing on state land failed to get to a final vote this legislative session.

But Gov. David Ige, who requested the legislation, says he hopes to bring it back next year.

“We will be back,” he told reporters Wednesday as this year’s session neared its end.

“We were looking at ways we can strengthen our ability to enforce the laws.”

Senate Bill 2816 would have created an offense of trespassing on state lands for people remaining unlawfully on land that is closed to the public when there are signs providing notice.

Thirty Meter Telescope opponents came out against the bill out of concern it would be used to remove people from Mauna Kea if protests resumed.

“That bill was to ensure we can enforce the laws on all state lands and obviously Mauna Kea is state lands,” Ige said in response to a question at the press conference. “So, yes, it would allow us to enforce on Mauna Kea, it would allow us to enforce under the freeways, it would allow us to enforce on the medians, it would allow us to enforce in state land across the state.”

Last year, a camp setup by those who say they were protecting a sacred mountain was removed only after the Department of Land and Natural Resources adopted emergency rules specifically banning camping in the area.

The Senate recommitted the bill to the Judiciary Committee rather than take a final vote.

Lawmakers did pass a separate bill seen as connected to the telescope issues.

That bill would allow appeals of contested case hearings with statewide importance to be taken directly to the state Supreme Court.

The $1.4 billion TMT project is currently preparing to go through a second contested case hearing for a land use permit after the high court ruled BLNR wrongfully voted for the project before the first hearing was held.