STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1793

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   S.C.R. No. 96

      S.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs and Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 96, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF USING AUTONOMOUS UNMANNED SURFACE VESSEL TECHNOLOGY TO DETECT AND CLEAN UP OCEAN DEBRIS BEFORE IT REACHES HAWAII'S REEFS AND BEACHES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), in collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to explore the possibility of using autonomous unmanned surface vessel technology to detect and clean up ocean debris before it reaches Hawaii's reefs and beaches.

Clear Blue Sea, Inc., Clear Blue Sea Hawaii, and two concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  The DLNR commented on this measure.  

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs and Energy & Environmental Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 96, S.D. 1, and recommend that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Ocean, Marine Resources, & Hawaiian Affairs and Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair

____________________________ KANIELA ING, Chair