STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1070

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1068

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1068, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BEACHES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to address state planning policies relating to the physical environment, including shoreline resources.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Amends the Hawaii State Planning Act by:

(A) Including as a policy the promotion of a statewide beach assessment study and beach and shoreline restoration; and

(B) Providing that the pursuit of compatible relationships among activities, facilities, and natural resources should also take into account Native Hawaiian traditional practices mauka to makai; and

(2) Appropriates moneys to the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development for the development of a statewide beach assessment study and a beach and shoreline restoration and conservation plan.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, University of Hawaii, and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development and Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Your Committee finds that the State's beaches and shoreline areas are at risk from climate change, sea level rise, and coastal erosion. Your Committee further finds that the assessment developed pursuant to this measure will help agencies better understand these risks and plan to protect Hawaii's shorelines.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the statewide beach assessment study and shoreline restoration and conservation plan shall be submitted to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2025;

(2) Correcting a reference to fiscal year 2023-2024 in section 2 of the measure; and

(3) Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of consistency and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1068, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1068, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair