STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2702

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2977

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2977, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to develop reports assessing the impact of the tourism industry on climate change.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from OCC Legislative Priorities Committee, Democratic Party of Hawaii, and one concerned individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Office of Planning.

Your Committee finds that about one-third of greenhouse gas emissions in the State are caused by aviation and marine transportation that is related to the tourism industry. Your Committee believes that the State should prioritize the development of "green" sustainable industries and reduce over-dependence on the tourism industry. Knowledge of the impacts that tourism makes on climate change may provide an added motivation to diversify the State's primary industries.

Your Committee notes that the Office of Planning has estimated that the cost of conducting and publishing the report envisioned by this measure will be approximately $400,000.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Making an unspecified appropriation for the Commission to develop reports assessing the impact of the tourism industry on climate change;

(2) Requiring the Commission to reevaluate and update its report by July 1, 2022, instead of every five years;

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(4) Making a technical nonsubstantive change for the purpose of clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 2977, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2977, S.D. 2.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair