CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 1

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1296

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir and Madam:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 1296, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DISASTER RECOVERY,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to facilitate recovery efforts on Maui and other disaster-affected areas by exempting the reconstruction of any lawfully constructed structure destroyed in a disaster proclaimed by the Governor to constitute a state of emergency or a disaster declared pursuant to federal law from the requirements of a special management area minor permit or a special management area use permit under certain conditions.

Your Committee on Conference finds that it is critical to facilitate disaster recovery while preserving natural resources in coastal zones that are essential to the State's long-term resilience and economic stability. Your Committee on Conference further finds that regulatory agencies are often overwhelmed following a natural disaster. This measure will ease the regulatory burden on these agencies and expedite recovery by exempting the reconstruction of lawfully constructed structures damaged or destroyed in declared disasters from certain permitting requirements.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language requiring that the reconstruction of a lawfully constructed structure damaged or destroyed in a natural disaster shall not be situated on a shoreline parcel or a parcel that is impacted by waves, storm surges, high tide, or shoreline;

(2) Specifying that the reconstruction shall commence within six years;

(3) Making it effective upon its approval; and

(4) Inserting a sunset date of July 1, 2028.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1296, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1296, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ MARK J. HASHEM Co-Chair	____________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE Chair
____________________________ DELLA AU BELATTI Co-Chair	____________________________ KARL RHOADS Co-Chair
____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS Co-Chair