STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3786

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 2486

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2486, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF PLANNING,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to promote sustainability in the State.

 

     More specifically, this measure:

 

     (1)  Establishes within the Office of Planning the Statewide Sustainability Branch;

 

     (2)  Updates the roles and responsibilities of the Office of Planning to require the office to engage in:

 

          (A)  Sea level rise adaptation coordination;

 

          (B)  Climate adaptation and sustainability planning and coordination; and

 

          (C)  Providing assistance to state and county agencies regarding climate change and sustainability;

 

     (3)  Repeals the requirement that the Office of Planning submit to the Governor and Legislature an annual report regarding climate adaptation planning; and

 

     (4)  Requires the State Sustainability Coordinator to serve as the administrator of the Statewide Sustainability Branch.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Department of Transportation, Land Use Commission, Office of Planning, Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Food Industry Association, Healthy Climate Communities, Ponoholo Ranch Limited, and five individuals.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has caused a substantial negative impact to the State's economy.  Your Committee further finds that establishing a Statewide Sustainability Branch within the Office of Planning and updating the office's responsibilities will allow the office to effectuate the necessary levels of sustainability planning to achieve economic recovery and resilience in the State.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Codifying in statute the requirement that the State Sustainability Coordinator serve as the administrator of the Statewide Sustainability Branch; and

 

     (2)  Making technical nonsubstantive changes for 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. 2486, 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. 2486, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair