STAND. COM. REP. NO. 195

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 1350

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 Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1350 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for the Environmental Council, in consultation with the Department of Health, Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii, and relevant stakeholders, to establish an interactive statewide tool for assessing and mapping environmental justice communities in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the EcoTipping Points Project, 350Hawaii, Sierra Club of Hawai‘i, and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Environmental Quality Control.

Your Committee finds that every Hawaii resident deserves and has a right to clean air, drinking water, and a safe community. This measure will help oppressed communities experience the benefits of a healthy and sustainable future through an innovative mapping tool.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Designating the Office of Planning, instead of the Environmental Council, to establish a statewide tool to identify economic justice communities;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) 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 Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1350, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1350, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair