STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2550

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2780

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water and Land and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, to which was referred S.B. No. 2780 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OFFSHORE DRILLING,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Prohibit offshore drilling for oil or natural gas in state marine waters; and

(2) Prohibit issuance of permits for or in connection with the development or operation of any facility or infrastructure associated with offshore drilling for oil or natural gas in state waters.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Energy Office, Surfrider Oahu, 350 Hawaii, Climate Protectors Coalition, and twelve individuals.

Your Committees find that the federal government through the executive authority of the President has proposed a program to vastly expand offshore drilling for oil or natural gas. This program includes opening up Pacific ocean waters near Alaska and the western coast of the continental United States to potential offshore oil or natural gas drilling.

Your Committees further find that although Hawaii has no proven petroleum or natural gas reserves or production, the State does produce petroleum products and crude oil is refined within the State. This measure affirms the State's dedication to the reduction of fossil fuel use by prohibiting offshore drilling and the issuance of permits in connection with facilities associated with offshore drilling.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water and Land and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2780 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water and Land and Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism,

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair

________________________________ KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair