STAND. COM. REP. NO. 368

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1456

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 1456 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RESTORATION OF BEACH LANDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend the definition of beach restoration to expand the types of activities the State recognizes as restorative and beneficial to beach lands in response to the increasing threat of sea level rise and beach loss.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaiʻi System, Surfrider Foundation Hawaiʻi Region, and Waikīkī Beach Special Improvement District Association.

Your Committee finds that sea level rise poses a serious and imminent threat to the State's coastal communities and natural resources, primarily beaches and coastal ecosystems. Your Committee further finds that existing law does not recognize certain beneficial projects as beach restoration. Accordingly, this measure recognizes other types of activities as restorative and beneficial to beach lands to support proactive and ongoing care for the State's beaches.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1456 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 Water and Land,

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair