STAND. COM. REP. NO.  955-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 2558

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2558 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require state officials and agencies to participate in a carbon offset program, created by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, to offset carbon emissions caused by employees of the agency when they conduct air travel for official duties.

The Foundation for Island of Harmony provided testimony in support of the measure.  The Department of Land and Natural Resources provided comments.

     Your Committee made amendments by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2030, to facilitate further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2558, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2558, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair