THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

183

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

convening a legislative Noise Pollution Task Force to review best practices from other states in reducing urban noise pollution.

 

 


     WHEREAS, the traditional definition of noise is "unwanted or disturbing sound", which becomes unwanted when it either interferes with normal activities such as sleeping, conversation, or disrupts or diminishes one's quality of life; and

 

     WHEREAS, the fact that you cannot see, taste, or smell noise may help explain why it has not received as much attention as other types of pollution, such as air pollution, or water pollution; and

 

     WHEREAS, yet, noise pollution can have major consequences, primarily to a person's overall health; and

 

     WHEREAS, studies have shown that there are direct links between noise and health and problems related to noise including stress related illnesses, high blood pressure, speech interference, hearing loss, sleep disruption, and lost productivity; and

 

     WHEREAS, noise induced hearing loss is the most common and often discussed health effect, but research has shown that exposure to constant or high levels of noise can cause countless adverse health effects; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, the House of Representatives concurring, that there is convened a Legislative Noise Pollution Task Force to review best practices from other states in reducing noise pollution; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force be composed of representatives from the:

 

     (1)  Department of Health, Noise and Sanitation Branch;

 

     (2)  Honolulu Police Department;

 

     (3)  Honolulu Liquor Commission;

 

     (4)  Public Utilities Commission;

 

     (5)  Interested members of Oahu Neighborhood Boards, interested community members, and other affected groups; and

 

     (6)  Legislators representing urban communities with high levels of noise pollution complaints to be appointed by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force focus on but not be limited to noise pollution from motorcycle, motor scooter, and moped mufflers, trash disposal vehicles, and stereo or other audio equipment in passenger vehicles; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force report its findings and recommendations to address excessive and disturbing noise levels to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2011; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to Director of Health, Honolulu Police Department, Honolulu Liquor Commission, Public Utilities Commission, and Oahu Neighborhood Boards.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

Report Title: 

Noise Pollution; Legislative Task Force