STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2054-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.C.R. No. 244

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 Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 244 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ENGAGING, ENDORSING, ACCEPTING, AND ADOPTING THE AARHUS CONVENTION TO ACHIEVE THE UNITED NATIONS' PARIS AGREEMENT, 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, AND UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to engage, endorse, accept, and adopt the Aarhus Convention to achieve the United Nations Paris Agreement, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Climate Protectors Hawai‘i and Hawai‘i Institute for Human Rights.

Your Committee finds that the State is recognized as a global partner and local leader in promoting human rights. Guided by traditional Hawaiian values, the State exemplifies good governance and ensures participation in policymaking and the protection of the State's natural resources. The adoption of the Aarhus Convention will help the State further move toward achieving the goals of the United Nations Paris Agreement and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending its title to make a technical, nonsubstantive amendment; and

(2) Making other 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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 244, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 244, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair