STAND. COM. REP. NO. 581

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 436

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 436 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NOISE CONTROL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Health, in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration and the state Department of Transportation, to conduct a study on the impacts of aviation noise on residents of the State and appropriate funds for the study.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawaii, and seven individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that overhead helicopter noise from tour companies has continually disrupted residents who live along the helicopters' flight path. Your Committee further finds that it is the responsibility of the Department of Health to address excessive noise issues and the impacts of excessive noise in the State. Your Committee acknowledges that helicopter flight paths fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration, but believes that the State must take steps to assess the situation and find a solution regarding helicopter noise and bring some relief to residents of the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an appropriation amount of $100,000 to the Department of Health to conduct the study.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 436, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 436, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair