STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2975

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3033

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 3033, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Allow public petition to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for review of the integrity of beach structures; and

(2) Require the Department of Land and Natural Resources to recommend the applicable county agency to order the owner of any beach structure determined to be imminently threatened to resolve, mitigate, and plan for the harmful effects of the beach structure.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the UNITEHERE! Local 5, Hawaiʻi Ocean Legislative Task Force, Surfrider Foundation Hawaiʻi Region, and two individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Shoreline Preservation Coalition, and two individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development.

Your Committee finds that coastal erosion, sea level rise, and increasing storm events pose real and growing challenges for local communities and shorelines. These challenges include degrading imminently threatened beach structures that may collapse and create hazards to public safety, coastal ecosystems, and shoreline access. Clear and transparent processes to evaluate structures before collapse are integral to finding proactive and thoughtful long-term solutions to infrastructure vulnerabilities. This measure therefore enhances public safety by empowering the public to address certain shoreline safety concerns they encounter.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3033, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair