STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1335-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.C.R. No. 67

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 67 entitled:

"HOUSE concurrent RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, AND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO INCORPORATE SUITABLE NATIVE HAWAIIAN PLANT SPECIES INTO THE LANDSCAPE OF STATE CONSTRUCTION AND REMODELING PROJECTS WHEREVER AND WHENEVER FEASIBLE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure as it was received by your Committee is to request the Department of Accounting and General Services, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Department of Transportation to incorporate suitable native Hawaiian plant species into the landscaping associated with state buildings and facilities under each Department's respective jurisdiction.

     For purposes of public hearing on this measure, your Committee posted notice of a proposed House Draft of this measure.  Your Committee received testimony on both the original measure and the proposed House Draft at the public hearing. 

The Big Island Invasive Species Committee submitted testimony in support of the original measure, as it was received by your Committee.

     Puna Pono Alliance submitted testimony in support of the proposed House Draft of this measure.

     After careful consideration, your Committee has amended this measure by accepting the proposed House Draft, which deletes the contents of the original measure and inserts new language that:

     (1)  Amends the measure's title to read: "URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO INCREASE AIR AND WATER QUALITY MONITORING EFFORTS RELATING TO GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT";

     (2)  Expresses concerns about the potential adverse health effects of geothermal resource development for surrounding communities and the limited monitoring of health and environmental effects currently in place;

     (3)  Urges the Department of Health to increase air and water quality monitoring of geothermal facilities and to report to the Legislature on plans and progress toward implementing increased monitoring as well as the adequacy of current monitoring efforts; and

     (4)  Directs that certified copies of this measure be distributed to the Director of Health and the Mayor and County Council Chair of the County of Hawai‘i.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 67, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 67, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

CINDY EVANS, Chair