STAND. COM. REP. NO. 835

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 Ways and Means, 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 raise the Hawaii Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act annual Tier II filing fee from $100 to $200.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health and the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism.

Your Committee finds that the Hawaii Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, enacted in 1993, requires that covered facilities submit an annual Tier II chemical inventory form and pay a $100 filing fee.  The fees are deposited into the environmental response revolving fund, the revenues of which allow county first responders to maintain their emergency preparedness and response capabilities with respect to hazardous materials incidents across the State.  Your Committee also finds that the $100 filing fee has not changed since the law's enactment, and as operational and equipment costs have risen over the years, it has become necessary to increase the fee.  The additional revenues generated by this measure will support interagency coordination and response at local levels and ensure effective statewide emergency preparedness.

     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. 976 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair