STAND. COM. REP. NO.  770

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 416

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 416 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AIRPORTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to expedite needed safety and customer service improvements at Hawaii's airports by exempting structures and improvements to land used for airport purposes from:

     (1)  County agencies' special management area permitting

          requirements; and

     (2)  The approval of county agencies.

     The Airlines Committee of Hawaii and United Airlines testified in support of this bill.  A member of the Kauai County Council, the Sierra Club-Hawaii Chapter, and a concerned individual opposed this measure. The Department of Transportation submitted comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 416 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

KEN ITO, Chair