STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2090-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.C.R. No. 194

S.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.C.R. No. 194, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO EXAMINE ISSUES AND BARRIERS TO ENFORCEMENT TO REDUCE NOISE FROM TWO-STROKE ENGINES, MOPEDS, AND SMALL OFF-ROAD ENGINES AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE TO HELP REDUCE NOISE POLLUTION FROM THESE SOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Health to examine issues and barriers to enforcement to reduce noise from two-stroke engines, mopeds, and small off-road engines.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Climate Protectors Hawai‘i. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that noise pollution is a serious, prevalent, and increasing problem affecting quality of life in all areas of the State. Your Committee further finds that existing regulations are not effectively enforced and do not adequately address noise pollution emitted from two-stroke engines, mopeds, and small off-road engines. This measure addresses ongoing enforcement issues by requesting the Department of Health to examine issues and barriers to enforcement of noise control regulations.

Your Committee notes that one barrier to enforcement may be a lack of knowledge by local law enforcement regarding allowable noise levels in urban areas and the appropriate use of noise measuring devices. Your Committee respectfully requests that the Department of Health consider training local law enforcement on noise measurement rules and the use of systems for community noise control as a means of mitigating excessive noise pollution in the community.

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 S.C.R. No. 194, S.D. 1, and recommends that it 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