STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1134

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 346

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 Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 346, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DISASTER PREPAREDNESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to restrict the planting and authorize the removal of large trees that threaten to obstruct evacuation routes in the State.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Requires that the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency identify key evacuation routes in the State;

(2) Prohibits the planting of large trees along identified evacuation routes;

(3) Requires that the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency identify existing large trees along evacuation routes and trim, spray, or remove any tree that potentially could obstruct the evacuation route; and

(4) Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency to effectuate the purposes of this measure.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and one individual.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from Trees for Honolulu's Future.

Your Committee finds that this measure will ensure that evacuation routes will be free and clear of obstruction by large trees, enabling swift evacuation and emergency response in the event of a natural disaster.

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. 346, 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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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair