STAND. COM. REP. NO. 160-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: H.B. No. 2612

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. 2612 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to direct and appropriate funds for the Department of Health to conduct a statewide study of sewage contamination in nearshore marine areas.

The University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu, Kokua Hawaii Foundation, and three individuals testified in support of this measure. The Department of Health provided comments.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Directing the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center to conduct the study in cooperation and consultation with the Department of Health;

(2) Changing the appropriation amount from $500,000 to an unspecified amount; and

(3) Changing its effective date to January 28, 2045, to facilitate further discussion.

Should the Committee on Finance deliberate on this measure further, your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection respectfully requests that it consider appropriating $500,000 for the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center, in cooperation and consultation with the Department of Health, to conduct a comprehensive statewide study of sewage contamination in nearshore marine areas.

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. 2612, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2612, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Health & Human Services.

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

____________________________

CHRIS LEE, Chair