STAND. COM. REP. NO. 349-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1847

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1847 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules to protect the herbivorous fish that are necessary for the health of coral reefs throughout the State.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Reef Ocean Coalition, Surfrider Oahu, Animal Rights Hawaii, Friends of Haunauma Bay, The Uhu Conservancy, and ten individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from Coral Fish Hawaii, Tropical Fish Emporium, and eight individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committees find that record-setting temperatures have led to several widespread coral bleaching events in Hawaii's waters in recent years. Ensuring that healthy populations of herbivorous fish are in all of Hawaii's waters is essential to protect Hawaii's coral reefs from extinction.

Your Committees have amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1847, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1847, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________ RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair

____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair