STAND. COM. REP. NO.  393

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2160

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Economic Development & Business, to which was referred H.B. No. 2160 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LIGHT POLLUTION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to preserve the quality of Hawaii's night sky by reducing light pollution.  Specifically, this measure establishes a Dark Night Skies Protection Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) to assist the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) in the development of a statewide dark night skies protection strategy to preserve dark night skies and reduce light pollution.

 

     The Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii, and two concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  DBEDT testified in support of the intent of this measure.

 

     The quality of the night sky in Hawaii is unique and is a valuable natural resource that needs to be protected.  Artificial light reduces dark skies and directly impacts the quality of the night sky for astronomical observations in Hawaii, as well as biological resources of the islands by altering wildlife behavioral patterns.  Your Committee finds that establishing an Advisory Committee will allow for the preservation of Hawaii's dark night skies, which is essential for Hawaii's astronomy industry and for the State's overall well-being.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Including a representative from the University of Hawaii at Hilo on the Advisory Committee;

 

     (2)  Including the impacts of light pollution on astronomical observations from Mauna Loa as an issue for evaluation and consideration by the Advisory Committee;

 

     (3)  Including public safety issues related to the reduction in artificial light as an issue for evaluation and consideration by the Advisory Committee;

 

     (4)  Changing its effective date to February 19, 2022, to facilitate further discussion; and

 

     (5)  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 H.B. No. 2160, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2160, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

DEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, Chair