STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3795

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 244

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 Judiciary, 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,"

beg leave to report as follows:

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

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Americans for Democratic Action Hawai‘i, Community And Relationship Exchange Services, and three individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

Your Committees find that Hawaii is a global leader in promoting human rights to create a culture of democracy, rule of law, and protection of the planet. Your Committees further find that democracy, rule of law, and protection of the planet are embodied in the Aarhus Convention, which promotes access to environmental information, public participation in decision making, and accountability. This measure engages, endorses, accepts, and adopts the Aarhus Convention to achieve the goals of the United Nations' Paris Agreement, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 244 and recommend its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Judiciary,

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair