STAND. COM. REP. NO. 978

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: H.B. No. 1558

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1558, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUSTAINABILITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a stronger policy framework for Hawaii sustainability efforts by incorporating sustainability coordination and planning into the duties and responsibilities of the Office of Planning.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Establishes the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan (Sustainability Plan) to serve as the State's climate and sustainability action plan, and places the Sustainability Plan under the Office of Planning;

(2) Requires the Office of Planning, rather than the Auditor, to update the Sustainability Plan and submit the updated plan to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the 2021 Regular Session and every tenth regular session thereafter; and

(3) Appropriates funds for updating the Sustainability Plan.

The Office of the Auditor, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Ulupono Initiative, and a few individuals testified in support of this measure. Life of the Land opposed this measure. The Office of Planning provided comments on this measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1558, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair