STAND. COM. REP. NO.  247-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 3150

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 3150 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMERGENCY PLANNING AND COMMUNITY RIGHT-TO-KNOW ACT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to clarify the reporting requirements found in the Hawaii Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.

Specifically, this bill separates the different reporting requirements for "hazardous substances" and "extremely hazardous substances" to eliminate confusion and ensure that businesses properly file the required chemical inventory reports for "extremely hazardous substances" and pay the fee.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health and the City and County of Honolulu Local Emergency Planning Committee.  No opposing testimony was received.

     Your Committee finds that the misinterpretation concerning the reporting requirements has led to inaccurate information concerning hazardous chemicals, which poses potential risks to emergency responders and the community during emergency situations involving these chemicals.  This measure will result in more accurate reporting by facilities, which in turn will allow emergency responders to better prepare for any emergency involving hazardous chemicals.

     Upon further consideration, your Committee has amended this bill by changing the effective date from "upon approval" to "January 1, 2050" to facilitate further discussion on the issue.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 3150, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 3150, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

JOSHUA B. GREEN, M.D., Chair