STAND. COM. REP. NO 43

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 976

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 976 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TIER II FILING FEES FOR REPORTING OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase the Hawaii Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, Tier II filing fee from $100 to $200.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Department of Transportation; Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Inc.; Pacific Biodiesel Technologies, LLC; Alaka‘i Mechanical Corporation; Par Hawaii; Island Energy Services; and four individuals.

     Your Committee finds that Tier II filing fees are used by the county local emergency planning committees to conduct joint emergency planning response training, provide community outreach, purchase specialized equipment, and fund hazardous materials emergency preparedness activities.  As operational and equipment costs have risen over the years, it is necessary to increase the fee to maintain the emergency preparedness and response capabilities of the county first responders that respond to hazardous materials incidents statewide.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 976 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair