STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2381

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2987

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2987 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LIGHT POLLUTION,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish outdoor light fixture requirements throughout the State beginning July 1, 2027.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Education, University of Hawaiʻi System, The Outdoor Circle, Maunakea Observatories, DesignLights Consortium, and two individuals.

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

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii Transportation Association; Matson Navigation Company, Inc.; and Young Brothers, LLC.

Your Committees find that light pollution threatens the State's globally unique resource that is its night sky. Preserving the dark night sky is vitally important to astronomy and other scientific research, native wildlife, Native Hawaiian cultural practices, public health, and education. Consistent lighting standards have become increasingly important as coastal development causes the expansion of nighttime illumination throughout the State. This measure reduces energy waste and safeguards the natural environment and quality of life for residents.

Your Committees acknowledge the concerns raised in testimony by local businesses that the outdoor light fixture requirements of this measure would conflict with workplace safety and productivity for many commercial ports, which operate twenty-four hours a day and require sufficient lighting to comply with regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Therefore, amendments to this measure are necessary to address this matter.

Accordingly, your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Exempting outdoor light fixtures for airports, highways, and commercial harbors from the requirements of the measure;

(2) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2987, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2987, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Economic Development and Tourism and Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs,

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair

________________________________ LYNN DECOITE, Chair