HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

119

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

CONVENING A LEGISLATIVE NOISE POLLUTION TASK FORCE TO REVIEW BEST PRACTICES FROM OTHER STATES IN REDUCING URBAN NOISE POLLUTION.

 

 


     WHEREAS, the traditional definition of noise is "unwanted or disturbing sound", which becomes unwanted when it either interferes with normal activities such as sleeping, conversation, or disrupts or diminishes one's quality of life; and

 

     WHEREAS, the fact that you cannot see, taste, or smell noise may help explain why it has not received as much attention as other types of pollution, such as air pollution, or water pollution; and

 

     WHEREAS, noise pollution can have major consequences, primarily to a person's overall health; and

 

     WHEREAS, studies have shown that there are direct links between noise and health problems related to noise, including stress‑related illnesses, high blood pressure, speech interference, hearing loss, sleep disruption, and lost productivity; and

 

     WHEREAS, noise‑induced hearing loss is the most common and often discussed health effect, but research has shown that exposure to constant or high levels of noise can cause countless adverse health effects; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the Senate concurring, that the Director of Health is requested to convene a Legislative Noise Pollution Task Force to review best practices from other states in reducing noise pollution; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to consist of:

 

     (1)  One member from the Department of Health, Indoor and Radiological Health Branch;

 

     (2)  One member from the Honolulu Police Department;

 

     (3)  One member from the Honolulu Liquor Commission;

 

     (4)  One member from the Public Utilities Commission;

 

     (5)  One member from each of the following Oahu neighborhood boards:

 

          (A)  McCully-Moiliili Neighborhood Board No. 8;

 

          (B)  Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9;

 

(C)  Makiki/Tantalus Neighborhood Board No. 10;

 

          (D)  Ala Moana/Kakaako Neighborhood Board No. 11;

 

          (E)  Nuuanu/Punchbowl Neighborhood Board No. 12;

 

          (F)  Downtown Neighborhood Board No. 13;

 

(G)  Liliha/Kapalama Neighborhood Board No. 14; and

 

          (H)  Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board No. 15; and

 

     (6)  Legislators representing urban communities with high levels of noise pollution complaints to be appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to focus on but not be limited to noise pollution from motorcycle, motor scooter, and moped mufflers, trash disposal vehicles, and stereo or other audio equipment in passenger vehicles; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau shall assist the Task Force with drafting legislation, if any, which the Task Force deems necessary, as a result of its findings and recommendations regarding the best practices in reducing noise pollution to address excessive and disturbing noise levels; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force is requested to report its findings on best practices from other states in reducing noise pollution and its findings and recommendations to address excessive and disturbing noise levels to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, the Chairperson of the Public Utilities Commission, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Chief of the Honolulu Police Department, the Chairperson of the Honolulu Liquor Commission, the Chairperson of the McCully-Moiliili Neighborhood Board No. 8, the Chairperson of the Waikiki Neighborhood Board No. 9, the Chairperson of the Makiki/Tantalus Neighborhood Board No. 10, the Chairperson of the Ala Moana/Kakaako Neighborhood Board No. 11, the Chairperson of the Nuuanu/Punchbowl Neighborhood Board No. 12, the Chairperson of the Downtown Neighborhood Board No. 13, the Chairperson of the Liliha/Kapalama Neighborhood Board No. 14, and the Chairperson of the Kalihi-Palama Neighborhood Board No. 15.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Noise Pollution; Legislative Task Force