STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1811-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2575

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2575, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

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 received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory; Sustainable Ocean Alliance Hawaiʻi; Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi; Parley for the Oceans, Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Youth Climate Coalition; Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund; Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea; Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition; Deep Sea Mining Campaign; 350Hawaii.org; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Rev Ocean; Friends of Hanauma Bay; FutureSwell; Marine Conservation Institute; Kauai Women's Caucus; Hawaiʻi's Thousand Friends; Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi; National Parks Conservation Association; Oceanic Preservation Society; Surfrider Foundation, Hawaiʻi Region; Blue Climate Initiative; Tetiaroa Society; The Marine Mammal Center; The Ocean Foundation; Greenpeace Hawaii; HULI PAC; Te Ipukarea Society; Hawaii Fishing & Boating Association; Deep Blue Eco Tours; Hotel Renew; Hawaiʻi Eco Divers & Surf Adventures; One Ocean Diving; The Kahala Hotel & Resort; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; Americans for Democratic Action; For the Fishes; Fair Wind Cruises; Big Island Reef Keepers Hui; Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action; Keiko Conservation; Nā Mamo O Mūʻolea; New Earth Flow; The Nature Conservancy; Maui Ocean Center; Hawaiʻi Unity and Liberation Institute; Maui Nui Makai Network; We Are One Ministries; The Whaleman Foundation; Na Moku Aupuni o Koʻolau Hui; Blue Startups; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from three individuals.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2575, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair