STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3466

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2624

H.D. 1

S.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. 2624, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Office of Environmental Quality Control to establish, implement, and maintain an interactive website that is accessible by the public at no cost and provides notification of and opportunity for participation in actions taken pursuant to the State's environmental review process.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from EcoTipping Points Project and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that all parties benefit from public participation and transparency in the planning processes of the State and counties. Your Committee recognizes that the public is often unaware of a pending public work until the opportunity for public comment has passed. This measure supports public participation in public project discussions prior to the determination of an environment assessment or environmental impact statement; thereby fostering greater awareness of and participation in the environmental review process through the use of technology to provide cost-free accessibility.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2020.

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. 2624, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2624, H.D. 1, 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,

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair