STAND. COM. REP. NO. 305-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: H.B. No. 2276

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2276 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WATER QUALITY MONITORING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a full-time Environmental Health Specialist IV position within the Department of Health to monitor water quality in East Hawaii Island.

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Department of Health, Council Members representing District 1 and District 3 of the County of Hawaii, County of Hawaii Department of Environmental Management, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Cuddle Party, Ho‘opae Pono Peace Project, Surfrider Foundation Oahu Chapter, Sierra Club of Hawaii, BIFA, Patients Without Time, and many individuals supported this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the Environmental Health Specialist IV employee established by this measure to monitor and enforce the water quality and safety of all Hawaii Island's streams and coastal waters; and

(2) Changing its effective date to January 28, 2045, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2276, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2276, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair