STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3435

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2701

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. 2701, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require that agency actions undertaken with funds from the Environmental Response Revolving Fund, Energy Security Special Fund, Energy Systems Development Special Fund, and Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund be undertaken with careful consideration of how those actions can also assist the State in achieving the State's zero emissions clean economy target and support the State's climate change resilience, environmental response, energy, and food systems; and

(2) Require that annual reports for these funds also explain to the Legislature how expenditures support the State's clean energy economy and climate change resilience.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Natural Energy Institute of the University of Hawaii, Hawaii State Energy Office, Climate Protectors Coalition, 350Hawaii, and fourteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

Your Committee finds that it is important to coordinate as broadly as possible to have the greatest impact in advancing the State's policy goals with respect to emissions and climate resilience. According to testimony received by your Committee, the agencies receiving an allocation from the barrel tax should consider how the use of these funds would help the State achieve its zero emissions, clean economy goals.

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. 2701, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2701, 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,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair