STAND. COM. REP. NO. 163

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 748

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 748 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the construction and operation of non-chemical sunscreen dispensers on all state beaches to alleviate the damaging effects of chemical-based sunscreen on reef ecosystems.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Activities and Attractions Association of Hawaii, Inc.; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; The Kohala Center; Friends of Hanauma Bay; Hawai‘i Reef and Ocean Coalition; Big Island Reef Keepers Hui; and eight individuals Your Committee received comments on this measure from Public Access to SunScreens Coalition.

Your Committee finds that the reduced use of sunscreens containing certain chemicals would benefit the health and resilience of Hawaii's coral reef ecosystems. Your Committee believes that following the relative success of a mineral sunscreen dispenser installed for beachgoers at the Waialae section of Hapuna State Recreation Area on the west side of Hawaii island, the State can benefit from installing similar dispensers on all state beaches to decrease the amount of chemicals entering marine waters that adversely impact Hawaii's reef ecosystem. This measure expands the installation of mineral-based sunscreen dispensers to all state beaches and authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources to contract with private parties to assist in the maintenance and management of the dispensers as they see fit.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 748 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair