STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1529

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 450

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 450, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CORAL,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii to study the effects of sunscreen products on coral reefs in Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Office of the Mayor, County of Hawaii; University of Hawaii; The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International; Friends of Hanauma Bay; For the Fishes; Ocean Tourism Coalition; and one individual.

 

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

 

     Your Committee finds that numerous studies conducted across the world have highlighted the detrimental impact of chemicals in sunscreen products on coral health and reproduction.  However, your Committee notes that no studies have been conducted to explore the effect of sunscreen products on coral reefs in Hawaii, which are exposed to heavy tourist traffic and high volumes of sunscreen chemicals.  Your Committee believes this measure will provide information needed to understand the impact of sunscreen products on coral reefs in Hawaii.

 

     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. 450, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair