STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3242

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2256

H.D. 1

S.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. 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 and intent 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 of establishing 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 2025 Regular Session.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Environmental Advisory Council, Department of Health, Board of Water Supply of the City and County of Honolulu, Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay, Climate Protectors Hawai‘i, Wastewater Alternatives & Innovations, and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawai‘i State Energy Office; and Office of Planning and Sustainable Development.

Your Committee finds that, while most states have an executive-level department dedicated to environmental protection, Hawaii does not. An executive-level Department of Environmental Protection would allow for greater coordination in addressing key environmental issues, which will only grow in importance as climate changes accelerates. Additionally, a Department of Environmental Protection will increase the efficiency and timeliness of the State in responding to environmental threats. This measure establishes a Department of Environmental Protection on July 1, 2026, and creates a working group to ensure effective implementation of a Department of Environmental Protection.

Your Committee has amended this measure by adding the following to the working group:

(1) The Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, or the Director's designee;

(2) A representative of the Environmental Advisory Council; and

(3) A representative of the Commission on Water Resource Management.

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. 2256, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2256, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism.

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

________________________________

MIKE GABBARD, Chair