STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1055

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 1120

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1120, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NUISANCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify that the Department of Health has the legal authority and obligation to prevent and address nuisances that affect public health or environmental health.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health. Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that protecting public and environmental health is a fundamental responsibility of the Department of Health, particularly as climate change exacerbates environmental hazards and resource pressures. The relationship between community well-being and environmental conditions highlights the need for proactive measures to prevent health risks posed by nuisances such as pollution, toxic substances, and other hazardous conditions. This measure strengthens the Department of Health's authority to prevent and address nuisances that threaten public and environmental health, ensuring safer and healthier communities across the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

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 H.B. No. 1120, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1120, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair