STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1140

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

 

RE:   S.B. No. 1157

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Economic Development & Business, to which was referred S.B. No. 1157, S.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STARLIGHT RESERVE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to continue working toward implementing a statewide strategy to reduce nighttime light pollution.  Specifically, this measure:

 

     (1)  Makes permanent the Starlight Reserve Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee), which was established as a temporary committee in 2009; and

 

     (2)  Corrects references to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' representative on the Advisory Committee.

 

     The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Starlight Reserve Advisory Committee, and a concerned individual testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Transportation and Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism supported the intent of this measure.

 

     The Advisory Committee was established as a temporary committee in 2009 to help preserve the quality of the night sky for its cultural, scientific, and environmental values.  The mission of the Advisory Committee was to assist the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism in developing a statewide starlight reserve strategy and developing legislation to implement the strategy.  In 2012, the Advisory Committee made recommendations to the Legislature, and the Legislature enacted Act 287, Session Laws of Hawaii 2012, which is codified as section 201-8.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Section 201-8.5, which is applicable to state agencies, implements a night sky protection strategy containing limitations and requirements related to artificial night lighting.

 

     Nonetheless, your Committee was informed that the issue of nighttime light pollution is complex and achieving consensus among the various entities and government agencies regarding a comprehensive statewide starlight reserve strategy has been a challenge.  Continuing the efforts of the Advisory Committee will help reduce nighttime light pollution and preserve Hawaii's dark skies for astronomy, protect endangered species, improve human health, and reduce nighttime energy consumption.

 

     However, while your Committee agrees that the Advisory Committee should continue its work, your Committee finds that the provision of an additional six years for the Advisory Committee to accomplish its goals, rather than making the Advisory Committee permanent, is sufficient.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Extending the existence of the Advisory Committee to June 30, 2021, rather than making the Advisory Committee permanent;

 

     (2)  Requiring the Advisory Committee to submit reports of its findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Sessions of 2017 and 2019;

 

     (3)  Changing its effective date to June 29, 2050, to facilitate further discussion; and

 

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


     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Business that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1157, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1157, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Business,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

DEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, Chair