STAND. COM. REP. NO. 967

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.B. No. 1278

H.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1278, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IMPROVING WATER QUALITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to improve water quality at Lake Wilson by appropriating:

(1) $250,000 out of the Environmental Response Revolving Fund (Revolving Fund) for the University of Hawaii's Center for Conservation and Research Training (CCRT) to develop, during phase 1, the best strategies consistent with comprehensive watershed management to improve the water quality of Lake Wilson; and

(2) $250,000 out of the Revolving Fund for CCRT to implement phase 2, identifying and soliciting federal and other funding to coordinate implementation of a pilot demonstration project of constructed wetland designs developed during phase 1.

ILWU Local 142 and three concerned citizens supported this bill. The University of Hawaii and Office of Hawaiian Affairs supported the intent of this bill. The Department of Health opposed this bill. Two concerned citizens offered comments.

Your Committee notes that concerns were raised in public testimony regarding the use of the Revolving Fund as a funding source for the projects contained in this bill. Your Committee will continue to study this issue to determine the most appropriate source of funding.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that watershed scientists of the CCRT shall prepare a comprehensive watershed management plan that includes the best strategies to manage water quality problems in Lake Wilson;

(2) Clarifying that the appropriations contained in this bill shall be expended by the University of Hawaii;

(3) Changing the funding source from the Revolving Fund to the general fund;

(4) Changing the appropriation amount to $1 for each fiscal year to promote further discussion; and

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

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 H.B. No. 1278, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1278, H.D. 2.

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

 

____________________________

DWIGHT TAKAMINE, Chair