STAND. COM. REP. NO. 251

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1381

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 1381, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to enable Hawaii to receive and use moneys under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and any other applicable federal law for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvement projects.

     Testimony in support of this measure was provided by one state department and one private organization.  Written testimony presented to your Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that it is crucial that this measure be passed to allow Hawaii to benefit from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure improvements projects.  The anticipated federal funds for these projects will improve public health, protect the environment, and stimulate the economy.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1381, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy and Environment,

____________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair