STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1728

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   S.B. No. 536

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 536, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to preserve the quality of Hawaii's night sky by reducing light pollution.  Specifically, this bill requires the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT), with assistance from a temporary advisory committee, to develop a statewide starlight reserve strategy and intelligent lighting and light pollution law.

     The University of Hawaii at Manoa, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Sierra Club – Hawaii Chapter, Windward Ahupua'a Alliance, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  DBEDT's Office of Aerospace Development provided comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 536, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair