STAND. COM. REP. NO.248

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 1593

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy and Environment and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1593 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require government agencies to address environmental justice concerns as part of their mission, develop environmental justice strategies, and evaluate the effects of proposed actions on the health and environment of native Hawaiian and low-income communities.

The Department of Health and the Office of Environmental Quality Control submitted testimony supporting the intent of this measure. Life of the Land submitted oral testimony supporting this measure.

Specifically, this measure creates an interagency working group to assist government agencies in discharging their environmental justice responsibilities; creates an advisory committee of nongovernmental groups to advise the working group; requires human health and environmental research, data collection, and analysis; and requires agencies to consider environmental justice principles in determining whether an action will have a significant effect on the environment.

Your Committees find there is a need for fair and equitable treatment of all persons as it evaluates and addresses the risks and consequences associated with environmental pollution.

Your Committees recognize that there are technical, nonsubstantive errors contained in this measure and request that the Committee on Ways and Means make appropriate corrections to this measure.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Environment and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1593 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Environment and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs,

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COLLEEN HANABUSA, Chair

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J. KALANI ENGLISH, Chair