STAND. COM. REP. NO. 433

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1159

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1159 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Hawaii Community Development Authority to consider the impacts of climate change, sea level rise, and climate-resilient development in the design and siting of buildings in the Kaka‘ako and Kalaeloa Community Development Districts.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Hawaii Community Development Authority, University of Hawai‘i System, and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that climate change and sea level rise pose significant, dangerous, and imminent threats to the State. New infrastructure and development projects in the Kaka‘ako and Kalaeloa Community Development Districts are at particular risk to the effects of climate change. Your Committee further finds that it is in the State's long-term interest to ensure that the Hawaii Community Development Authority considers the impacts of climate change, sea level rise, and climate-resilient development in the development of the Kaka‘ako and Kalaeloa Community Development Districts.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1159, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1159, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair