CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 25-24

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  , 2024

 

RE:     S.B. No. 3011

        S.D. 2

        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. 3011, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NOISE,"

 

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:

 

     (1)  Make it unlawful for any person to operate a weed whacker in or within one hundred feet of a residential zone, subject to certain exceptions;

 

     (2)  Extend the time for the use of leaf blowers and weed whackers within or near residential zones;

 

     (3)  Provide exceptions for government entities and agents acting on behalf of government entities during emergencies; and

 

     (4)  Define weed whacker.

 

     Your Committee on Conference finds that weed whackers emit an excessive amount of noise, which is not only a disturbance for residents and communities, but also a public health concern for the State, and has the potential to cause permanent hearing damage.  This measure restricts the usage of weed whackers to certain times of the day to alleviate sound nuisances and safeguard public health.

 

     Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by making it effective upon its approval.

 

     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. 3011, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3011, S.D. 2, 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

 

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS

Chair

 

____________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA

Chair

 

 

____________________________

KARL RHOADS

Co-Chair