STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2387

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2062

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 2062 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to exempt the proposed drilling, construction, or use of a well on lands leased from the Department of Agriculture from laws requiring environmental impact statements, provided that the land is being used to support agriculture and food production.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau and one individual. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Sierra Club of Hawai‘i, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Alliance for Progressive Action, Americans for Democratic Action Hawai‘i, and three individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, and Office of Planning and Sustainable Development.

Your Committees find that existing requirements for environmental review can inhibit important agricultural projects and limit the feasibility of new agricultural operations. This measure will remove barriers to increase local agricultural production.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2062 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 Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land,

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair