THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2257
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to THE environment.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the exceptional tree act, Act 105, Session Laws of Hawaii 1975, recognizes the value of trees for their beauty and ecological functions and requires each county to establish a county arborist advisory committee to enact regulations to protect trees of exceptional stature.  The legislature also finds that section 58-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires one member of the county arborist advisory committee to be actively employed in the practice of landscape architecture.  The county of Hawaii currently has only three landscape architects working within the county, thereby severely limiting the pool of candidates.  As a result, the county of Hawaii has not had a functioning county arborist advisory committee since 2008.

     The purpose of this Act is to expand the candidate pool for membership on a county arborist advisory committee by making the following, in addition to persons actively employed in landscape architecture, eligible:  certified arborists, horticulturalists with specialization in trees, and persons who have received a master's degree in botany.

     SECTION 2.  Section 58-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§58-2[]]  County arborist advisory committees; establishment.  Each county of the State shall establish a county arborist advisory committee, which shall be appointed by the mayor and shall include [the]:

(1) The county planning director, or the director's designee; [one]

(2) One member who shall be a person actively employed in the practice of landscape architecture, a certified arborist, a horticulturist with specialization in trees, or received a master's degree in botany; and [not]

(3) Not less than three other members selected on the basis of active participation in programs of community beautification, or research or organization in the ecological sciences, including ethnobotany, or Hawaiiana."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Exceptional Trees; County Arborist Advisory Committee; Membership Qualifications

Description:

Makes eligible for membership on a county arborist advisory committee certified arborists, horticulturists with specialization in trees, and persons who have received a master's degree in botany.

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