STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1489

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 588

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Water and Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 588, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure 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.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Planning, Healthy Climate Communities, U.S. Green Building Council, Hawaii Advocates for Consumer Rights, and one individual.

Your Committees find 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 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. Currently, there is no defined system to determine the most effective use of green infrastructure in Hawaii.

Your Committees also find that a holistic and comprehensive green infrastructure study and plan will be of great benefit to the State and its environment. This measure will have the State Sustainability Coordinator of the Office of Planning undertake and coordinate activities relating to green infrastructure planning and development and work with various stakeholders and the public to further the State's sustainability goals.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Water and Land that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 588, H.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Housing and Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism and Water and Land,

________________________________ KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair