Bill Text: HI SB2458 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 2458 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Climate Change.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 11-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-02-02 - The committee on PSM deferred the measure. [SB2458 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2018-SB2458-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2458
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to climate change.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that climate change is a major threat to Hawaii. Act 32, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017, states, "The legislature finds that not only is climate change real, but it is the overriding challenge of the 21st century . . . Climate change poses immediate and long-term threats to the State's economy, sustainability, security, and way of life. . . ."

Article XI, section 1, of the Hawaii State Constitution requires the State and its political divisions to "conserve and protect Hawaii's natural beauty and all natural resources . . . " for future generations. Further, the Paris Agreement states that "all Parties are to undertake and communicate ambitious efforts" to strengthen their response to the threat of climate change.

The purpose of this Act is to require state agencies to conduct climate vulnerability assessments for projects involving building, transportation, or land use change.

SECTION 2. The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Chapter

CLIMATE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT

§ -1 Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:

"Climate vulnerability assessment" means a project analysis that includes a life cycle analysis of the project's gross and net carbon emissions, the vulnerability of the project to climate-related disasters, and possible mitigations and alternatives.

"Department" means the department of health.

"Project" means any planned building, transportation, or land use change by any public or private entity that may generate significant greenhouse gas emissions in the construction or operation phase of the project.

§ -2 Climate vulnerability assessment. State agencies shall require a climate vulnerability assessment for all permit applications for projects filed after December 31, 2019.

§ -3 Rules. The department shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to implement this chapter. The rules may include exemptions for certain projects."

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2018.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Climate Change; Climate Vulnerability Assessment; Paris Agreement; Permits

Description:

Requires state agencies to require climate vulnerability assessments for permit applications for projects involving building, transportation, or land use change that may generate significant greenhouse gas emissions. Applies to permit applications filed after 12/31/2019.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.