STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1358

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 441

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 441, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CLIMATE EQUITY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii for the:

(1) Development of a database and data portal from data sources detailed in the May 2022 report on social vulnerability to climate change in Hawaii, under certain conditions; and

(2) Maintenance and updating of the data portal.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Wild Kids, Blue Planet Foundation, Climate Future Forum, Imua Alliance, and eight individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committees find that helping communities and county, state, and federal agencies to better understand the social impacts of climate change in the State is key to increasing statewide resilience. According to testimony received by your Committees, federal equity tools do not sufficiently address local realities and are not refined enough to effectively inform decision-makers, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders as they allocate their resources and plan adaptive and mitigation strategies. This measure would provide localized data and specifically identify which residents and communities are most vulnerable to the numerous environmental, economic, and public health impacts of climate change, thereby allowing the State to address these issues more effectively.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 441, H.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land,

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair