STAND. COM. REP. NO. 603

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 435

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water and Land, Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.B. No. 435 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to assess the effects of tourism on climate change and publish a report of its findings.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Farmers Union, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, and two individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committees find that climate change is a major threat to Hawaii. Your Committees further find that about one-third of greenhouse gas emissions in Hawaii come from aviation and marine transportation, much of which is driven by visitors. The relationship between the tourism industry and climate change is poorly understood; therefore, your Committees find it prudent to call upon the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to assess the role the tourism industry plays regarding climate change.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of December 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water and Land, Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 435, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 435, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair	________________________________ KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair
	________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair