HI HCR159

Requests the Speaker of the House of Representatives to convene a task force to investigate and make recommendations regarding the legal and illegal sale of ivory in Hawaii.

Task force membership to include the Chairperson of the House Standing Committee on Judiciary, the Chairperson of the House Standing Committee on Economic Development and Business, representatives from the Department of the Attorney General and the Hawaiian Humane Society, and other members at the Speaker's discretion.

Task force directed to report findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2015.

Resolution cites concerns about African elephant poaching for ivory, the international ban on African elephant ivory trade since 1990, and the difficulty in determining the age and origin of ivory sold in Hawaii.

Identifies that ivory of unknown origin and age continues to be legally sold in Hawaii under existing exemptions for pre-1990 imports or items at least one hundred years old.