STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3279

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2029

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Water and Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 2029, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION REVIEWS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to assume review of the effect of any proposed project on historic properties or burial sites for lands under its jurisdiction.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and one individual.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation.

Your Committees find that before developing any land under its jurisdiction on which historic properties or burial sites are located, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is required to consult with the Department of Land and Natural Resources. While the review process is an important safeguard that ensures the preservation of historic properties and cultural resources, it also delays projects that would provide housing for native Hawaiian beneficiaries of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. This measure allows the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to assume the review process of proposed projects on its lands, expediting the development of these projects.

Your Committees have amended this measure by inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2029, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2029, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Hawaiian Affairs and Water and Land,

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

________________________________ MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair