STAND. COM. REP. NO. 293-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1842

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1842 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON HUMAN HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish and appropriate funds for a Climate Change and Human Health Adaptation Coordinator within the Department of Health and other operating expenses.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that although climate change is a critical public health problem, steps can be taken to lessen climate change and reduce its impacts on human health and the environment. Many of the current climate change mitigation activities focus on infrastructure changes and resilience, but there has been insufficient activity that focuses on adaptation. This measure establishes a new position within the Department of Health to address climate change adaptation and ensure that the State is prepared to develop strategic climate monitoring, surveillance, and response systems to respond to present and future climate-related impacts.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the title of the newly established position from Climate Change and Human Health Adaptation Coordinator to Climate Change and Human Health Adaptation Specialist and updating all references accordingly; and

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2100, to encourage further discussion.

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. 1842, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1842, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair