STAND. COM. REP. NO.  330

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1278

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1278 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL SITE CLEANUP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to enable the State to continue to offer low-cost loans to assist eligible borrowers to clean up contaminated properties.

     Specifically, this bill repeals the sunset date of the Hawaii Brownfields Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund that was scheduled to be repealed on June 30, 2007, pursuant to Act 173, Session Laws of Hawaii 2002.  The revolving fund assists eligible borrowers with the cleaning of contaminated sites in accordance with federal environmental and hazardous substances pollution guidelines.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this bill from the Office of Planning, Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and the Department of Health.

     Your Committee finds that the United States Environmental Protection Agency defines brownfields as "abandoned, idled, or underused industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination."  Your Committee finds that brownfields redevelopment serves to:

(1)  Promote economic revitalization of communities through the redevelopment and reuse of abandoned and underutilized sites;

(2)  Eliminate or reduce potential public and environmental health risks through the cleanup of contaminated sites; and

(3)  Promote efficient and effective use of the State's existing urbanized areas and assistance in relieving development pressure on undeveloped open lands or agricultural lands.

     Your Committee believes that the continuation of the brownfields cleanup revolving fund is in the public interest and will promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of the people of the State.

     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. 1278 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

HERMINA MORITA, Chair