STAND. COM. REP. NO. 250

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1255

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.B. No. 1255 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:

(1) Clarify the purpose of and inclusion of privately managed forests in the forest stewardship program;

(2) Clarify the conditions that must be met by applicants to receive funds under the program; and

(3) Increase maximum payments from the forest stewardship fund available to landowners for assistance in developing and implementing an approved management plan.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii Agriculture Research Center; Hi‘ipaka, LLC; Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association; and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's forest stewardship program, administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, provides technical and financial assistance to owners or long-term leaseholders of nonindustrial private forest land that are interested in conservation, restoration, or timber production. Forest stewardship management plans benefit the public by restoring native species, controlling invasive species, protecting forest watersheds, and increasing green jobs and education, while sustaining resources for future generations. The program reduces the financial barrier for landowners to access natural resource experts that help program participants responsibly and sustainably manage forest resources. Sixty-six percent of Hawaii's forested areas are privately managed. Your Committee finds that the program should be clarified and updated to reflect current land management practices and the needs of the participants in the program.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of December 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1255, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1255, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

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KAIALI'I KAHELE, Chair