HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	588
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to green infrastructure.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that green infrastructure is an approach to managing weather impacts that also delivers environmental, social, climate, and economic benefits. Green infrastructure planning aims to create a strategic network of natural and semi-natural areas that protect and maintain ecosystems in both urban and rural areas. Importantly, green infrastructure can also be the basis of a smart growth approach to development that cost effectively protects natural areas while creating more sustainable communities.

Green infrastructure functions as a complement to "grey" infrastructure, like pipelines and sewers. Green infrastructure reduces and treats stormwater at its source and can maintain and renew watersheds that host urban centers. Green infrastructure practices, such as green roofs, rain gardens, permeable pavement, and vegetation median strips, can provide solutions to stormwater runoff at the neighborhood level.

The creation of green infrastructure plans at the state level can generate strategies to enhance and preserve parks, agriculture, forest lands, and coastal areas. State green infrastructure plans can also identify where the State can save on water management costs, decrease pollution, lower flooding risks, and address climate change.

Currently, there is no defined system to determine the most effective use of green infrastructure in Hawaii. Without green infrastructure planning, the State risks losing valuable opportunities to cost effectively preserve the State's environment and increase quality of life for residents.

The legislature finds that a holistic and comprehensive green infrastructure study and plan will be of great benefit to the State and its environment. The legislature also finds that the state sustainability coordinator of the office of planning is well-positioned to undertake and coordinate activities relating to green infrastructure planning and development and to work with various stakeholders and the public to further the State's sustainability goals.

The purpose of this Act is to require and appropriate funds for the state sustainability coordinator to complete a holistic and comprehensive study and plan for green infrastructure opportunities in the State.

SECTION 2. (a) The state sustainability coordinator of the office of planning shall complete a holistic and comprehensive study and plan for green infrastructure opportunities in the State.

(b) The green infrastructure study and plan shall:

(1) Identify green infrastructure opportunities in the State at the state, regional, and neighborhood levels, including any related costs and savings;

(2) Identify green infrastructure planning and development best practices at the state, regional, and neighborhood levels for potential application in the State, including financing and community engagement practices;

(3) Complete a plan that details how the State can move forward to cost effectively take advantage of identified opportunities, including any related costs and savings; and

(4) Identify any legal or regulatory changes that will be needed to execute the completed plan.

(c) The state sustainability coordinator of the office of planning shall submit a progress report and a final report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2021, and regular session of 2022, respectively.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $750,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the state sustainability coordinator of the office of planning to complete a holistic and comprehensive green infrastructure study and plan for the State.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of business, economic development, and tourism for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2019.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Green Infrastructure Study and Plan; Appropriation

Description:

Requires the State Sustainability Coordinator of the Office of Planning to complete a holistic and comprehensive study and plan for green infrastructure opportunities in the State. Appropriates funds to complete the green infrastructure study and plan.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.