Bill to Expedite Construction Projects Being Expedited Through the Ledge

By /
The Sierra Club is raising alarm bells about House Bill 1893, which would exempt state and county projects from undergoing a public environmental review.

Robert Harris, executive director of the environmental group’s Hawaii chapter, sent a letter this week to House Speaker Calvin Say, who introduced the bill. He criticized the decision to remove the bill from review before two House committees. It’s now scheduled to only be heard by the House Finance Committee. 

You publicly stated that expediting construction projects is as one of your top priorities this year. Accordingly, the decision to re-refer HB 1893 appears to be an attempt to get around the normal legislative process so as to favor bills you support. We trust you agree this is an inappropriate way to govern the House of Representatives.

Harris’ letter was sent to all Representatives. The full text can be read here. 

What it means to support Civil Beat.

Supporting Civil Beat means you’re investing in a newsroom that can devote months to investigate corruption. It means we can cover vulnerable, overlooked communities because those stories matter. And, it means we serve you. And only you.

Donate today and help sustain the kind of journalism Hawaiʻi cannot afford to lose.

Donate

About the Author