STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3152

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2629

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2629, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Land and Natural Resources and Department of Budget and Finance to establish and administer a state employee air travel carbon offset program.

More specifically, this measure requires state agencies from all branches of government to participate in the program to offset the carbon emissions that are caused by the work-related air travel of their employees.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, 350 Hawaii, Climate Protectors Coalition, and two individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, Office of Planning, and State Procurement Office.

Your Committee finds that air travel by state employees produces carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate effects. Reforestation projects can sequester substantial amounts of carbon dioxide as well as provide a variety of ecological, cultural, recreational, educational, and economic benefits.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(2) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2629, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2629, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Ways and Means and Judiciary,

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair