Report Title:

Greenhouse Gases

 

Description:

Requires state agencies to promote policies that decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

49

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO GREENHOUSE GASES.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that global warming poses a serious threat to the economic well-being, public health, natural resources, and the environment of Hawaii.  The potential adverse impacts of global warming include the exacerbation of air quality problems, a rise in sea levels resulting in the displacement of businesses and residences, damage to marine ecosystems and the natural environment, and an increase in the incidence of infectious diseases and other human health-related problems.

     Global warming will have detrimental effects on some of Hawaii's largest industries, including tourism, agriculture, recreational and commercial fishing, and forestry.  It will also increase the strain on electricity supplies necessary to meet the demand for air conditioning during the hottest times of the year.

     The State has long been a national leader in environmental stewardship, and it endeavors to lead the way in alternative renewable energy development and use.

     The purpose of this Act is to steer the State toward a future free from greenhouse gas emissions by making reduced greenhouse gases a priority goal in state planning.

     SECTION 2.  Section 226-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  To achieve the land, air, and water quality objectives, it shall be the policy of this State to:

     (1)  Foster educational activities that promote a better understanding of Hawaii's limited environmental resources[.];

     (2)  Promote the proper management of Hawaii's land and water resources[.];

     (3)  Promote effective measures to achieve desired quality in Hawaii's surface, ground, and coastal waters[.];

     (4)  Encourage actions to maintain or improve aural and air quality levels to enhance the health and well-being of Hawaii's people[.];

     (5)  Promote policies that will reduce emissions of greenhouse gases;

    [(5)] (6)  Reduce the threat to life and property from erosion, flooding, tsunamis, hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural or man-induced hazards and disasters[.];

    [(6)] (7)  Encourage design and construction practices that enhance the physical qualities of Hawaii's communities[.];

    [(7)] (8)  Encourage urban developments in close proximity to existing services and facilities[.]; and

    [(8)] (9)  Foster recognition of the importance and value of the land, air, and water resources to Hawaii's people, their cultures, and visitors."

     SECTION 3.  Section 226-17, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:

     "(b)  To achieve the transportation objectives, it shall be the policy of this State to:

     (1)  Design, program, and develop a multi-modal system in conformance with desired growth and physical development as stated in this chapter;

     (2)  Coordinate state, county, federal, and private transportation activities and programs toward the achievement of statewide objectives;

     (3)  Encourage a reasonable distribution of financial responsibilities for transportation among participating governmental and private parties;

     (4)  Provide for improved accessibility to shipping, docking, and storage facilities;

     (5)  Promote a reasonable level and variety of mass transportation services that adequately meet statewide and community needs;

     (6)  Encourage transportation systems that serve to accommodate present and future development needs of communities;

     (7)  Encourage a variety of carriers to offer increased opportunities and advantages to interisland movement of people and goods;

     (8)  Increase the capacities of airport and harbor systems and support facilities to effectively accommodate transshipment and storage needs;

     (9)  Encourage the development of transportation systems and programs [which would] that will assist statewide economic growth and diversification;

    (10)  Encourage the design and development of transportation systems sensitive to the needs of affected communities and the quality of Hawaii's natural environment;

    (11)  Encourage safe and convenient use of low-cost, energy-efficient, non-polluting means of transportation;

    (12)  Promote policies that encourage the design, development, and widespread use of transportation systems and vehicles that have reduced emissions or zero-emissions of greenhouse gases;

   [(12)] (13)  Coordinate intergovernmental land use and transportation planning activities to ensure the timely delivery of supporting transportation infrastructure in order to accommodate planned growth objectives; and

   [(13)] (14)  Encourage diversification of transportation modes and infrastructure to promote alternate fuels and energy efficiency."

     SECTION 4.  Section 226-103, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (f) to read as follows:

     "(f)  Priority guidelines for energy use and development:

     (1)  Encourage the development, demonstration, and commercialization of renewable energy sources.

     (2)  Initiate, maintain, and improve energy conservation programs aimed at reducing energy waste and increasing public awareness of the need to conserve energy.

     (3)  Provide incentives to encourage the use of energy conserving technology in residential, industrial, and other buildings.

     (4)  Encourage the development and use of energy conserving and cost-efficient transportation systems[.] that have reduced emissions or zero-emissions of greenhouse gases.

     (5)  Promote policies that encourage the development and use of energy production and transmission facilities that have reduced emissions or zero-emissions of greenhouse gases."

     SECTION 5.  Section 26-38, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§26-38  Powers and duties of heads of departments.  (a)  Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, every power and duty conferred by law and required to be performed by any officer, board, department, bureau, commission, administrative agency, or instrumentality of the State existing immediately prior to November 25, 1959, shall hereafter be exercised and performed by the head of the respective department established by this chapter, whether the head of the department be a single executive, board, or commission.

     Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, the head of a department may assign any function vested in [his] the department to any subordinate officer or employee as [he] the head of the department deems desirable.  With the approval of the governor, the head of a department may establish or abolish within [his] the department any division or other administrative unit to achieve economy and efficiency and in accord with sound administrative principles and practices and procedures.

     The head of each department may prescribe regulations for the administration of [his] the department, for the conduct of its employees, for the performance of its business, and for the custody, use, and preservation of records, equipment, and other property pertaining thereto; provided that the regulations shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of chapters 76, 91, and 92, or rules promulgated by the governor, or other laws of the State.

     (b)  The head of each department, through planning processes, internal regulations, policies, rules, and permitting processes, shall reduce, and eliminate where feasible, greenhouse gas emissions in the State."

     SECTION 6.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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