STAND. COM. REP. NO. 913-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2256

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 2256, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO A DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a Department of Environmental Protection on July 1, 2026;

(2) Create a Department of Environmental Protection Working Group to address the logistics required for the State to establish a Department of Environmental Protection; and

(3) Require the Department of Environmental Protection Working Group to submit a report to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2025.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Environmental Advisory Council, Climate Protectors Hawai‘i, and Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Health, Hawaii State Energy Office, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, and Honolulu Board of Water Supply.

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 H.B. No. 2256, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair