STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1005-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 2486

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2486, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a Statewide Sustainability Division within the Office of Planning;

(2) Update and reaffirm the role of the Office of Planning to coordinate among state agencies regarding climate change adaptation and sustainability; and

(3) Direct the State Sustainability Coordinator in the Office of Planning to conduct a study on implementing a "Green New Deal for Hawaii".

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, County of Kauai Department of Planning, Honolulu Board of Water Supply, U.S. Green Building Council, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Americans for Democratic Action Hawaii, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, 350Hawaii.org, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Life of the Land, Aloha Harvest, Ponoholo Ranch Limited, Minatoishi Architects, and six individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Planning and Department of Transportation.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Removing the proposed goals regarding sustainability for the Statewide Sustainability Division within the Office of Planning;

(2) Removing proposed amendments to the laws establishing the Office of Planning;

(3) Removing the proposed amended definition of "sustainability";

(4) Removing the provisions that directed the State Sustainability Coordinator in the Office of Planning to conduct a study on implementing a "Green New Deal for Hawaii"; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2486, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2486, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair