STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3243

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 2656

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2656, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AIR POLLUTION CONTROL,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to subject crematoriums of human remains operating within the State to the permit requirements of chapter 342B, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from fifteen individuals.  Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Oahu Cemetery Association, Hosoi Garden and Mortuary Incorporated, and Leeward Funeral Home.

 

     Your Committee finds that crematoriums are currently exempt from federal and state air pollution control permit requirements.  This measure will improve the State's air quality and public health by allowing the Department of Health to better monitor and control the potentially harmful emissions of crematoriums.  The department may adopt rules pursuant to section 342B-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to do so.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Deleting as unnecessary the specific provision authorizing the Department of Health to adopt rules to impose permit conditions, because the department already has rulemaking authority; and

 

     (2)  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 Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2656, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2656, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair