STAND. COM. REP. NO. 649

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 990

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 990, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOREST STEWARDSHIP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to improve the Forest Stewardship Program of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     More specifically, the measure:

     (1)  Clarifies the conditions to be met by applicants in order to participate and receive funds under the Forest Stewardship Program; and

     (2)  Increases the cost-share reimbursement rate for the development of an approved forest stewardship management plan from fifty percent to seventy-five percent.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Hawaii Forest Industry Association, Haleakala Ranch Company, and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the Forest Stewardship Program provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners and long-term leaseholders of forests in managing, protecting, and restoring important natural resources in the State's forested and formerly forested lands.

     Your Committee further finds that clarifying the conditions to be met by applicants who participate and receive funds under the Forest Stewardship Program and increasing the cost-share reimbursement rate for the development of an approved forest stewardship management plan will encourage participation in the program and help protect and restore the State's forests.

     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. 990, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair