STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2213

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2402

       S.D. 1

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Economic Development and Technology and Energy and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 2402 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LIGHT POLLUTION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish a night sky protection strategy requiring all state agencies to comply with shielded lighting fixture requirements, beginning July 1, 2013.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Accounting and General Services; the Starlight Reserve Committee; the University of Hawaii System; and five individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, and Historic Hawaii Foundation.

     Your Committees find that the Starlight Reserve Committee was established by Act 161, Session Laws of Hawaii 2009.  The Starlight Reserve Committee held its first meeting in July 2010, and met on a regular basis throughout 2011.  One of the tasks of the Starlight Reserve Committee was to develop proposed legislation for statewide intelligent lighting laws that reduce light pollution through proper shielding of outdoor lights in Hawaii.  Your Committees further find that this measure provides exemptions to reduce or eliminate additional costs related to the use of properly shielded lights, where appropriate.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adding an additional exemption for the refurbishment, repair, or replacement-in-kind of lighting fixtures that are character-defining features of a historic property, as determined by the Department of Land and Natural Resources Historic Preservation Division; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development and Technology and Energy and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2402, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2402, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Public Safety, Government Operations, and Military Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Economic Development and Technology and Energy and Environment,

____________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

____________________________ CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair