STAND. COM. REP. NO. 617

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 393

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 393 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Amend coastal zone management laws to further protect against impacts of sea level rise and coastal erosion;

(2) Require new developments to plan for the impacts of projected sea level rise; and

(3) Prohibit development in areas significantly affected by projected sea level rise.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Department of Land and Natural Resources, IMUAlliance, Hawai‘i Reef and Ocean Coalition, Life of the Land, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Sierra Club of Hawai‘i, and three individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Office of Planning and Building Industry Association of Hawaii.

Your Committees find that as an island state, land use and development in Hawaii are concentrated on low-lying coastal plains. In many communities, the most dense developments are situated right up against the shoreline. This pattern of coastal development results in major impacts to public beaches and marine resources and increases community exposure to hazards of beach erosion and coastal flooding. The science is clear that rates of sea-level rise will increase in the coming decades. This will result in increasing severity and frequency of coastal erosion and flooding events. Therefore, improving coastal zone management laws and planning for sea-level rise are vital.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 393 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land,

________________________________ KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair