STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3342

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2518

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2518, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STATE PLANNING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to review and update the Hawaii State Planning Act and continue efforts to develop goals and policies to guide the development of the State.

Specifically, this measure requires and provides funding for the Office of Planning, among other things, to review the Hawaii State Planning Act and report to the Legislature its recommendations for updating the Act to appropriately address the needs of the State.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Planning, the State Fire Council, the County of Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety, a former Hawaii governor, and Enterprise Honolulu.

     Your Committee finds that the Hawaii State Planning Act was enacted in 1978 to improve the planning process and guide future development of the State.  The Hawaii State Planning Act sets forth the Hawaii State Plan, which articulates goals and policies to guide the development of the State and establishes an integrated planning and implementation system regarding those goals and policies.

     Your Committee notes that the last review of the Hawaii State Planning Act was initiated in 1983 and completed in 1985 and resulted in several amendments to the Hawaii State Planning Act.  Since then, there have been significant changes in Hawaii's economic, physical, and social conditions; technology; and the global marketplace.  The State also faces new constraints and opportunities as it plans for the future.  Thus, your Committee finds that a comprehensive review of the Hawaii State Planning Act is now warranted.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2518, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair