STAND. COM. REP. NO. 615

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 594

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 Health & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 594 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LEAF BLOWERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Remove the exemption on leaf blower restrictions by government entities and agents outside of certain hours, except in the case of an emergency; and

(2) Clarify that the residential zone restriction on the use of leaf blowers during certain hours includes residential districts, apartment districts, and business mixed use districts.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from three individuals.

Your Committee finds that noise pollution is a serious issue for residents and businesses in the State's urban areas. Studies show a direct link between excessive noise and health issues, such as stress-related illnesses, high blood pressure, speech interference, hearing loss, sleep disruption, and lost productivity. Your Committees further find that leaf blowers are significant contributors to noise pollution. This measure is intended to address excessive noise in residential areas of the State by prohibiting the use of leaf blowers by government entities and agents outside of specific hours, except in cases of emergency, and clarifying the zones in which this prohibition applies.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 594, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 594, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health & Homelessness,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair