STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1772

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.C.R. No. 126

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 126 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS REGARDING FUGITIVE DUST,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Health to take certain actions regarding fugitive dust.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Health, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that many acres of former agricultural land in Hawaii have become vacant and during windy conditions, large dust storms arise from these lands, causing damage to the environment and harming the health of residents who live downwind. Your Committee further finds, however, that the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, instead of the Department of Health, may be better suited to perform the actions proposed in this measure.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Urging the United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, rather than the Department of Health, to take certain actions regarding fugitive dust, including reviewing calculations for dust impacts during fallow periods of crop production and recommending best practices to minimize impacts to downwind communities;

(2) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose;

(3) Modifying the list of recipients of certified copies of the measure in accordance with its amended purpose; and

(4) 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 Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 126, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 126, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair