STAND. COM. REP. NO.  739-08

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2263

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2263 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HARBORS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to limit noise emanating from state harbors by allowing the Director of Transportation (Director) to adopt rules regulating harbor noise.

 

     Harbor Neighbors testified in support of this bill.

 

     Noise is often considered to be an environmental pollutant.  The high level of activity at many of Hawaii's harbors often produce large amounts of noise.  While the Director currently has the authority to promulgate rules for harbors under their jurisdiction, this authority may not be specific enough to allow it to adopt rules that regulate noise.  Your Committee finds that granting the Director this specific authority may provide an opportunity to alleviate the concerns of individuals affected by noise from Hawaii's harbors.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2263 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

HERMINA MORITA, Chair