STAND. COM. REP. NO. 649

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 435

       S.D. 2

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 435, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HAWAIIAN PLANTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require that all publicly funded landscaping projects include a minimum percentage of Hawaiian plants, in order to contribute to a Hawaiian sense of place, reduce the use of non-native invasive plant species, and support the preservation of Hawaii's cultural and ecological heritage.  

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Judiciary, Department of Transportation, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, State Procurement Office, a Councilmember from the Kauai County Council, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Hawaii Green Growth, The Nature Conservancy, Kua‘aina Ulu ‘Auamo, King Kamehameha HCC, and twelve individuals.  Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services.

Your Committee finds that the use of Hawaiian plants in landscaping on public works is essential to preserving a Hawaiian sense of place.  Greater use of native plants is also important for cultural preservation, biodiversity, biosecurity, and ecosystem management.  Your Committee believes that publicly funded landscaping should embody Hawaii's cultural and ecological heritage through the use of Hawaiian plants.

Your Committee recognizes that there may be concerns about the complexities of complying with this measure during the procurement process.  However, your Committee believes that any remaining issues concerning procurement may be addressed and resolved as the measure advances through the legislative process.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 435, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 435, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair