HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

153

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

requesting the department of health to convene a task force to implement a comprehensive review of existing noise regulations and to develop a plan to address noise pollution.

 

 

WHEREAS, noise annoys, awakens, angers, and frustrates people and is one of the biological stresses that is associated with our daily lives; and

WHEREAS, a public opinion survey in the early 1970's indicated that noise pollution was a serious problem, and as a result, advocates for noise control gained support for what would be the first noise abatement program; and

WHEREAS, state and political subdivisions generally control noise through permitting, regulations, or use or operation restrictions; and

WHEREAS, in Hawaii, the Department of Health is authorized to control excessive noise and adopt rules for each county to control all sources of noise; and

WHEREAS, under chapter 342F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Director of Health is required to prevent, control, and abate noise pollution in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, under the Department of Health rules, there is not one specific agency to contact regarding a noise complaint; and

WHEREAS, jurisdiction over noise complaints varies depending on the type of noise complained of; and

WHEREAS, often times, in Honolulu, the Police Department is the agency to contact; and

WHEREAS, while noise complaints can be lodged, it is often difficult to enforce the noise regulations, and this only adds to the frustrations of members of the general public affected by noise; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the Senate concurring, that the Director of Health is requested to convene a task force to conduct a comprehensive review of existing noise regulations and to develop a comprehensive plan to address noise pollution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to include in the task force representatives from the Honolulu Liquor Commission, Department of Health, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, Hawaiian Humane Society, and Honolulu Police Department; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to submit a report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2006, on its plan, including the following:

(1) Findings and specific recommendations;

(2) How agencies responsible for enforcement can be better equipped to address noise complaints; and

(3) A detailed timeline for the implementation of the plan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, Director of Transportation, Chairperson of the Honolulu Liquor Commission, Chief of the Honolulu Police Department, and President of the Hawaiian Humane Society.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Noise Pollution; Task Force; Review Noise Regulations; Develop Noise Plan