Conference Committee Turns Coastal Mngmt Bill Upside Down

HB 117 is proof of the importance of active monitoring of bills at the legislature, especially in the closing stages of the session when so much happens behind closed doors. Just a week or two ago, this bill expanded our Coastal Zone Management Act to require public review of large, expensive single-family homes built along the coastline. This terrific bill would have allowed counties to better consider placement of homes near the shoreline with an eye towards climate change impacts and future lateral access to public beaches. And yet . . . once in conference committee, the bill was so substantially altered that it would have reversed the original intent: instead of improving the current law regulating coastline development, it would have weakened it. Now in a span of less than 12 hours, many of the negative problems with this bill have been reduced . . . and efforts are underway to add back in the review for large “McMansions” built along the coastline. To express your opinion contact the conference members: Senators:

• Chair Donovan Dela Cruz email or call 808-586-6090
• Co-Chair Malama Solomon email or call 808-586-7335
• Mike Gabbard email or call 808-586-6830
• Co-Chair Sam Slom email or call 808-586-8420

Representatives:

• Co-Chairs Jerry Chang email or call 808-586-6120
• Denny Coffman email or call 808-586-9605
• Gilbert Keith-Agaran email or call 808-586-6210
• Sharon Har email or call 808-586-8500
• Ken Ito email or call 808-586-8470
• Gil Riviere email or call 808-586-6380