STAND. COM. REP. NO. 656

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1380

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 1380 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUSTAINABILITY,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Require the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan to serve as the State's climate and sustainability action plan;

 

     (2)  Require and appropriate funds for the Office of Planning to update and submit the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2021; and

 

     (3)  Transfer the responsibility of updating the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan every ten years from the Office of the Auditor to the Office of Planning.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Planning, Hawaii Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Maui Chamber of Commerce, Design Thinking Hawaii, and two individuals.

 

     Your Committees find that climate change poses an immediate and long-term threat to Hawaii's economy, sustainability, security, and quality of life.  The Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Task Force was established in 2005, convening a diverse group of leaders throughout the State and incorporating community input that resulted in the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan and enacted in 2008, which sought to coordinate the actions needed to sustain a growing and vibrant economy while maintaining a high quality of life for all residents and visitors.

 

     Your Committees further finds that much has changed since 2008 and an updated Hawaii 2050 sustainability plan is needed.  This measure requires the Office of Planning to conduct a ten-year update of the Hawaii 2050 sustainability plan, thereby allowing the State to further the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Initiative and maintain the quality of life in Hawaii despite the adverse effects of climate change.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1380 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Water and Land,

 

________________________________

KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair

 

________________________________

GLENN WAKAI, Chair