STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1430-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 3053

S.D. 2

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 Water & Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 3053, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Appropriate funds to the Department of Health to develop and implement the Comprehensive Watershed-Based Water Quality Monitoring Pilot Program for the Waikele Watershed; and

(2) Appropriate funds to the Division of Aquatic Resources of the Department of Land and Natural Resources for mangrove removal and shoreline and stream maintenance in the nineteenth Senatorial district and nearby areas, including the West Loch and Middle Loch shorelines.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Health; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that Pearl Harbor is the largest estuary in Hawaii and represents a high-priority aquatic resource that supports native fish, waterbirds, and significant cultural and community uses. Your Committee further finds that this measure would improve the water quality of this important area of Oahu.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $230,000 for the Comprehensive Watershed-Based Water Quality Monitoring Pilot Program.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3053, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3053, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair