STAND. COM. REP. NO. 764

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 830

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 830, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to expedite recovery from natural disasters.

Specifically, this measure narrows the definition of the term "development" in coastal zone management law by excluding the reconstruction of certain lawfully constructed structures impacted by certain disasters.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Office of Planning and Sustainable Development; County of Maui; Maui Chamber of Commerce; Grassroot Institute of Hawaii; Pacific Rim Land, Inc.; Square Feet Management, LLC; and ten individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from Lahaina Strong.

Your Committee finds that the coastal zone management law may cause an undue burden for Hawaii residents who are trying to rebuild their homes and businesses that were destroyed by natural disasters such as the 2023 Maui wildfires. Your Committee further finds that the amendments to the coastal zone management law proposed by this measure will allow these residents and businesses to more quickly rebuild their homes and livelihoods.

Your Committee has amended this measure by adopting amendments recommended by the Department of Land and Natural Resources that:

(1) Delete language that excludes structures on shoreline parcels and structures not in compliance with the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program; and

(2) Clarify that the exemption applies to the reconstruction of lawfully constructed structures that were damaged in a disaster that was not related to waves, storm surge, high tides, flooding, erosion, sea level rise, or subsidence.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 830, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 830, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair