STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1171-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   S.B. No. 2302

      S.D. 1

      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 Economic Development & Business, to which was referred S.B. No. 2302, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DARK SKIES PROTECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to preserve the quality of Hawaii's night sky by reducing light pollution.  Specifically, this measure establishes a Dark Skies Protection Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) to assist the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) in the development of a statewide dark skies protection strategy to preserve dark night skies and reduce light pollution.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii, and a concerned individual testified in support of this measure.  DBEDT testified in support of the intent of this measure.

     The quality of the night sky in Hawaii is unique and is a valuable natural resource that needs to be protected.  Artificial light reduces dark skies and directly impacts the quality of the night sky for astronomical observations in Hawaii, as well as biological resources of the islands by altering wildlife behavioral patterns.  Your Committee finds that establishing an Advisory Committee will allow for the preservation of Hawaii's dark night skies, which is essential for Hawaii's astronomy industry and for the State's overall well-being.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Including a representative from the University of Hawaii at Hilo on the Advisory Committee;

     (2)  Including the protection of astronomical observations from Mauna Loa from the impacts of artificial light pollution as one of the principles on which to base the statewide dark skies protection strategy;

     (3)  Including public safety issues related to the reduction in artificial light as an issue for evaluation and consideration in the development of proposed legislation to implement statewide protective lighting and light pollution reduction strategies by DBEDT, with assistance from the Advisory Committee;

     (4)  Changing its effective date to February 19, 2022, to facilitate further discussion; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Business that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2302, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2302, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Business,

____________________________

DEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, Chair