STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1963-18

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2018

 

RE:   S.B. No. 2334

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2334, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PLANNING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to prepare the State of Hawaii for the impacts of climate change by requiring:

 

     (1)  The State and counties to incorporate predictions of sea level rise and other climate change hazards and mitigation opportunities into certain plans, strategies, and floodplain mapping; and

 

     (2)  The Public Utilities Commission to:

 

          (A)  Consider the findings in the "Hawaii Sea Level Rise Vulnerability and Adaptation Report" in all of its actions; and

 

          (B)  Avoid critical electrical infrastructure projects in areas of higher risk.

 

     The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Sierra Club of Hawaii, and Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii testified in support of this measure.  The Public Utilities Commission, Office of Planning, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Office of Climate Change, Sustainability and Resiliency of the City and County of Honolulu provided comments.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2030, to promote further discussion; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2334, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2334, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair