STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1216

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1137

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

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 H.B. No. 1137, H.D. 2, 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 increasing threats 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, University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program, Office of Climate Change Sustainability and Resiliency of the City and County of Honolulu, one member of the Maui County Council, Association of Apartment Owners of Hololani, Maui Nui Resiliency Hui, Surfrider Foundation Hawaiʻi Region, Waikīkī Beach Special Improvement District Association, and two individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Parks and Recreation of the County of Maui.

Your Committee finds that the State's coastal resources, primarily beaches and coastal ecosystems, are at risk due to sea level rise. Your Committee further finds that beach restoration efforts are necessary to preserve the State's beaches. However, existing law does not recognize certain beach restoration activities, including dune restoration, that promote naturally resilient shorelines. Accordingly, this measure recognizes other types of activities as restorative and beneficial, supporting a full suite of nature-based activities proven to enhance the public trust, promote resilience, and encourage community engagement.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language clarifying that emergency erosion protection structures constructed pursuant to permits issued by the Department of Land and Natural Resources shall not be deemed abandoned property; and

(2) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2040, to encourage further discussion.

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 H.B. No. 1137, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1137, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

________________________________

LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair