STAND. COM. REP. NO. 453

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1052

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1052 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Climate Impact Special Fund;

(2) Allocate 5 cents of the per-barrel Environmental Response, Energy, and Food Security Tax to the Climate Impact Special Fund;

(3) Appropriate funds to the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to address impacts of climate change and to mitigate further impacts on the State through carbon sequestration and resiliency planning; and

(4) Allocate funds to the Sea Level Rise Voluntary Relocation Fund.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Governor, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency, Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Kauai Climate Action Coalition, Hawaiian Electric, The Nature Conservancy – Hawai‘i and Palmyra, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and three individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from seven individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and two individuals.

Your Committees find that climate change impacts are being felt statewide and pose long-term threats to the State's economy, sustainability, environment, security, culture, and way of life. Successful mitigation and adaptation of climate change require comprehensive study and action to address the impacts of climate change. This measure supports the comprehensive and coordinated efforts needed to address the impacts of climate change in the State.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Authorizing the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to transfer monies to other state departments and agencies to carry out the purposes of the Commission and to fund efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change;

(2) Specifying that the monies transferred to the Sea Level Rise Voluntary Relocation Fund be used to fund efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, in addition to carrying out the purposes of the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission;

(3) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committees note that the Sea Level Rise Voluntary Relocation Fund does not currently exist but is the subject of other measures being considered this session.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water & Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1052, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1052, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection and Water & Land,

____________________________ LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair

____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair