STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3465

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2193

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2193, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WILDLIFE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require all habitat conservation plans to include an agreement for plan participants to enter into and maintain an annual service contract with a stand-by and response facility available to provide emergency medical and rehabilitation services to native wildlife affected by activities undertaken within the plan area.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Department of Land and Natural Resources, a member of the Hawaii County Council, Hawai‘i Wildlife Center, and six individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from Hawaii Clean Power Alliance and AEP Renewables.

Your Committee finds that while this Committee wants to do all it can to protect wildlife, it also needs to be aware of the added costs this measure could place on the renewable energy companies in our State as this body remains committed to achieving the State's one hundred percent Renewable Portfolio Standard goals.

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 H.B. No. 2193, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair