STAND. COM. REP. NO. 612

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1143

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1143, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CONTROL,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to support the activities of the Office of Environmental Quality Control.

 

More specifically, the purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the environmental review special fund to:

 

(A) Support and maintain technology systems for the Office;

 

(B) Support outreach, training, education, and research regarding environmental stewardship; and

 

(C) Provide for the hiring of adequate staff for the Office;

 

(2) Establish fees to enhance the activities of the Office of Environmental Quality Control; and

 

(3) Authorize the Office to expend $25,000 out of the environmental review special fund.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Environmental Quality Control, the Conservation Council for Hawaii, and the Nature Conservancy.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Hawaii Community Development Authority.

 

     Your Committee finds that this measure is a reasonable and appropriate means to support the operations of the State Office of Environmental Quality Control, which administers the environmental review law under chapter 343, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Your Committee also finds that this measure promotes the State's interest in improving, maintaining, and protecting the environment.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

(1)  Amending the effective date to July 1, 2050, to promote further discussion on the measure;

 

(2)  Amending the appropriation to an unspecified amount; and

 

(3)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for 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 S.B. No. 1143, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1143, S.D. 2.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair