STAND. COM. REP. NO.  790-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 2626

      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 Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2626, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to help protect Hawaii's marine environment and underground aquifers in the face of climate change by prohibiting the permitting of new underground storage tanks within 100 yards of the shoreline.  Also allows holders of permits for existing underground storage tanks within 100 yards of the shoreline to renew their permits.

The Department of Health; Par Hawaii, Inc.; and Sierra Club of Hawaii supported this measure.

     Your Committee finds that climate change and rising sea levels threaten to inundate underground storage tanks.  Prohibiting the permitting of new underground storage tanks within 100 yards of the shoreline will help to prevent these tanks from adversely affecting aquifers, coastal water quality, and marine ecosystems.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2626, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair