SR 165 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A COMMUNITY NOISE WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS POLICIES AND LEGISLATION WITH RESPECT TO NOISE SOURCES AFFECTING THE COMMUNITY.

This Senate Resolution (SR 165) requests Hawaii's Department of Health to create a Community Noise Working Group to study noise pollution impacts. The group, including health officials, legislators, city representatives, and noise experts, will discuss policies and potential legislation targeting noise sources like unpermitted concerts in residential areas. The Working Group must submit findings and recommendations - including possible new laws - to the Legislature by December 2026. This resolution directly affects the Department of Health (which must convene the group) and Hawaii residents exposed to noise pollution, which the resolution cites as causing health issues like hearing loss and stress. It does not enact new laws but initiates a review process.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 7, 2025 Last action Apr 3, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SR165 → SR165_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was transformed from a simple request for the Department of Health to set noise rules into a comprehensive resolution establishing a Community Noise Working Group. The new version shifts the approach from direct regulation to a collaborative process, requiring the Department of Health to convene a diverse group of stakeholders to study noise issues and develop recommendations before any rules are established.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from a direct regulatory mandate to a study and recommendation process involving multiple government agencies and community representatives.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the requirement from the Department of Health directly adopting noise rules to convening a Community Noise Working Group to study the issue first.

Added a 10-member working group with specific representatives from the Senate, House, City Council, Attorney General, Law Enforcement, Police Department, Public Defender, Prosecuting Attorney, and a noise expert.

TIMELINE

Established a deadline for the working group to submit recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2027 Regular Session.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a requirement to transmit certified copies of the resolution to all working group members and relevant officials.

SCOPE

Changed the resolution's purpose from establishing maximum decibel levels to discussing policies and legislation regarding noise sources affecting the community.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report and Resolution Adopted as amended (SD1). Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte).

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1554) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Mar 28, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Hashimoto, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-28-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 12, 2025

Committee

Referred to HHS.

upper

Mar 7, 2025

Introduced

Offered.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors