STAND. COM. REP. NO.  111-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2115

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2115 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to require each county to establish a procedure to ensure that an asbestos survey and any necessary abatement are performed prior to the issuance of any permit for the renovation or demolition of a residential property.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Association of REALTORS.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that even though a national ban on the use of asbestos in building material was enacted in the 1970s, asbestos-containing material was still used in construction of residential properties in Hawaii until the mid-1980s.  Your Committee further finds that although the harmful impacts of asbestos are widely known, asbestos has escaped regulation in Hawaii.  However, your Committee finds that enacting statutory measures to address this issue may be premature.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Deleting proposed statutory language and inserting new language requiring the Department of Health to conduct an evaluation on asbestos exposure in single family residences;

 

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2115, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2115, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair