STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1466-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 3011

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 3011, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NOISE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make it unlawful for certain entities, or agents thereof, to operate a weed whacker in or within one hundred feet of a residential zone during certain times.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Windward Coalition and five individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaiʻi County Department of Parks and Recreation. Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that noise pollution is a steadily increasing problem, particularly in densely populated areas of Hawaii. Your Committee further finds that weed whackers contribute an excessive and unusual amount of noise, which is not only severely annoying and distracting, but also has the potential to cause permanent hearing damage. This measure provides certain restrictions on the operation of a weed whacker within or in close proximity to residential areas, ensuring that residents are able to live in a healthy and peaceful environment.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3011, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3011, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair