STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1372-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2124

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness, to which was referred S.B. No. 2124, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NOISE CONTROL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish maximum allowable noise levels emitted from establishments regulated by county liquor commissions or liquor control adjudication boards;

(2) Specify that the emission of noise that exceeds the maximum allowable noise level constitutes a noise violation;

(3) Allow noise violations to be enforced by summons or citations issued by law enforcement officers; and

(4) Permit county liquor commissions and liquor control adjudication boards to revoke or suspend; deny the application, renewal, or transfer of; or withhold issuance of a liquor license when a licensee or applicant fails to take corrective action to address noise complaints or violations.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Citizens Against Noise, Free Access Coalition, and seventeen individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that excessive noise pollution is harmful to public health. Your Committee further finds that establishments that serve alcohol, such as restaurants, bars, and night clubs that are in close proximity to residential areas, contribute to excessive noise pollution. This measure mitigates low-frequency noise pollution from these establishments by establishing a regulatory and enforcement scheme.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2060, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) 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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2124, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2124, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair