STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2400

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2575

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 2575 entitled:

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

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit:

(1) The mining, extraction, and removal of minerals from the seabed in all state marine waters, under certain conditions; and

(2) The 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 Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii Chapter of 350.org, Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi, Greenpeace Foundation – Hawaii, University of Santa Barbara Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory, Huli Pac, For the Fishes, Hawaii's Thousand Friends, Hawaii Wildlife Fund, Kauai Womens Caucus, Malama Pupukea-Waimea, Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition, Sustainable Coastlines Hawaiʻi, Deep Sea Mining Campaign, National Parks Conservation Association, Oceanic Preservation Society, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, Surfrider Hawaii LLC, REV Ocean, Blue Climate Initiative, Tetiaroa Society, Friends of Hanauma Bay, The Conservationist Collective LLC, The Marine Mammal Center, Marine Conservation Institute, The Ocean Foundation, Greenpeace, Inc., Te Ipukarea Society, and five individuals.

Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committees find that seabed mining and related activities threaten not only the State's rich and biodiverse marine ecosystems, and but also ocean-dependent industries, such as commercial and recreational fishing and tourism. Your Committees therefore find that seabed mining is inconsistent with the public interest and the State's obligation to protect its waters under the Hawaii State Constitution. This measure ensures the protection and preservation of the State's valuable marine environment by prohibiting seabed mining in the State.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2575 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Agriculture and Environment and Water and Land,

________________________________ LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair