CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 65-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2575

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 2575, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the:

(1) Mining, extraction, and removal of minerals from the seabed in all state marine waters, with certain exemptions; and

(2) Issuance of any permit for or in connection with the development or operation of any facility or infrastructure associated with the mining, extraction, or removal of minerals from the seabed within state marine waters.

Your Committee on Conference finds that seabed mining and related activities threaten not only the State's rich and biodiverse marine ecosystems, but also ocean-dependent industries, such as commercial and recreational fishing and tourism. Your Committee on Conference therefore finds that seabed mining is inconsistent with the State's obligation to protect its waters under the Hawaii State Constitution and the public interest. This measure ensures the protection and preservation of state marine waters by prohibiting seabed mining and the extraction and removal of minerals from the seabeds in all state marine waters.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Making it effective upon its approval; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2575, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2575, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN Co-Chair	____________________________ MIKE GABBARD Chair
____________________________ LINDA ICHIYAMA Co-Chair	____________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE Co-Chair
____________________________ MAHINA POEPOE Co-Chair	____________________________ KARL RHOADS Co-Chair