STAND. COM. REP. NO. 468-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2486

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. 2486 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF PLANNING,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to update and reaffirm the role and responsibilities of the Office of Planning to coordinate among state agencies to implement climate change adaptation and sustainability goals.

Your Committees heard testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Office of Planning, Life of the Land, and four individuals.

Your Committees find that the Office of Planning is tasked with statewide planning, and has the capability to view complex challenges and respond to needs at a comprehensive level. Climate change is a priority issue and the Office of Planning is the appropriate state agency to coordinate sustainability and climate adaptation goals and implement those goals.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting the contents of H.B. No. 2029, introduced during the Regular Session of 2020, which establishes the Statewide Sustainability Division within the Office of Planning and appropriates funds for the establishment and implementation of the Division, including positions;

(2) Inserting the contents of H.B. No. 2487, introduced during the Regular Session of 2020, which directs the State Sustainability Coordinator to conduct a study on implementing a "Green New Deal for Hawaii";

(3) Changing the appropriation amount for the Green New Deal study to an unspecified sum;

(4) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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. 2486, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2486, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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