STAND. COM. REP. NO. 588-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2334

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2334, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Department of Transportation to assume certain federal environmental review responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for transportation projects in the State and grant the Department a limited waiver of sovereign immunity with regard to the compliance, discharge, or enforcement of responsibilities assumed.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Assignment Program is a federal program that allows state departments of transportation to assume certain federal environmental review responsibilities while remaining fully accountable under federal environmental law, giving state departments greater control over project timelines and improving the efficiency of transportation infrastructure development. Your Committee notes that many other states successfully operate under the NEPA Assignment Program and believes that allowing the Department of Transportation to participate in the NEPA Assignment Program will streamline the delivery of important transportation projects without sacrificing environmental protections.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2334, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair