STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2554

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2344

       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 S.B. No. 2344, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to address the effects of climate change and protect Hawaii's economy, health, environment, and way of life.

     Specifically, this measure:

     (1)  Establishes an interagency Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Committee, attached to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for administrative purposes, to develop a report examining Hawaii's vulnerability to sea level rise, and possibilities for adaptation, through the year 2050;

     (2)  Requires the Office of Planning to coordinate the development of a statewide climate adaptation plan and to use the Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Committee's report as a basis for addressing other climate threats and climate change adaptation priorities identified in Act 286, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012; and

     (3)  Appropriates funds and creates positions to carry out these duties.

     Written comments in support were submitted by the Office of Planning, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, the Sierra Club of Hawaii, and one individual.  Written comments were submitted by the Department of Health.

     Your Committee finds that climate change is an enormous challenge facing Hawaii.  Shoreline erosion, drought, and rising temperatures are impacting Hawaii and are expected to accelerate in the future.  Your Committee believes that this measure will assist in addressing and mitigating the long-term threats of climate change to the State's economy, security, and way of life.

     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 S.B. No. 2344, 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