STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2630

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2775

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 S.B. No. 2775 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE FUEL TANK ADVISORY COMMITTEE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee to meet biannually, within the same calendar year and at least six months apart.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, City and County of Honolulu Board of Water Supply, and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the United States Department of the Navy Commander Navy Region Hawaii and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that protecting the environment and underground sources of drinking water is in the best interest of public health and safety and required under article XI, section 7, of the state constitution. To that effect, the State established the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee in 2016 to study issues related to leaks of certain fuel storage tanks throughout the State, specifically issues surrounding leaks at the United States Department of the Navy's Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Your Committee further finds that the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee was intended to create an opportunity for members of the public to be informed and ask questions. This measure ensures that the Fuel Tank Advisory Committee meets regularly in an open forum to address the public's groundwater contamination concerns.

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 S.B. No. 2775 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health.

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

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair