STAND. COM. REP. NO. 156-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: H.B. No. 2732

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. 2732 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect Hawaii's fragile coral reefs and nearshore waters, particularly in the area of Puako on the island of Hawaii, by convening a study group within the Department of Health to develop a proposal for a pilot program to address contamination of the shore waters of Puako related to waste-water and cesspools.

The Coral Reef Alliance, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Kokua Hawaii Foundation, and two concerned individuals testified in support of this measure. The Department of Health testified in support of the intent of this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2118, to facilitate further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 2732, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2732, 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