STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1263

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.R. No. 6

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness, to which was referred H.R. No. 6 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE STATE AUDITOR, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA, TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE CUMULATIVE HEALTH EFFECTS OF PERSISTENT URBAN NOISE IN HONOLULU,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request that the Auditor, in consultation with the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii At Manoa, conduct a study on the cumulative health effects of persistent urban noise in Honolulu.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of the Auditor.

Your Committee finds that comprehensive research has shown that there is a direct link between excessive noises and health issues such as stress-related illnesses, high blood pressure, hearing loss, and sleep disruption. Your Committee further finds that the residents of urban Honolulu experience frequent and pervasive urban noise as part of an increasingly loud urban soundscape.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending its title to read, "REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA AND DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE CUMULATIVE HEALTH EFFECTS OF PERSISTENT URBAN NOISE IN HONOLULU.";

(2) Requesting that the Legislative Reference Bureau, rather than the Auditor, conduct the study, in consultation with the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Department of Health;

(3) Requesting certified copies be sent to the Director of Health, Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, and Chairpersons of the Waikiki Neighborhood Board, Ala Moana-Kakaako Neighborhood Board, McCully-Moiliili Neighborhood Board, and Makiki-Tantalus Neighborhood Board; and

(4) 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 Health, Human Services, & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 6, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 6, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair