STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3277

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1810

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred H.B. No. 1810, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Define what constitutes quorum for the Environmental Advisory Council; and

(2) Specify the number of votes required for any action of the Environmental Advisory Council to be valid.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and Environmental Advisory Council.

Your Committee finds that transparency and procedural clarity are essential for the functioning of the State's institutions. Currently, the Environmental Advisory Council lacks a clear mechanism through which to render decisions. Accordingly, this measure defines what constitutes a quorum for the Environmental Advisory Council and specifies that a majority of all members must concur for the Council to take any action.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture and Environment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1810, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture and Environment,

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MIKE GABBARD, Chair