STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3299

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2531

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2531, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FORESTRY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to support the sustainability goals of the State.

Specifically, this measure appropriates funds for the forest stewardship program of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to increase its existing plant stocks, invest in public outreach, and renovate its equipment and facilities.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Sierra Club of Hawaii, Hawaii Center for Food Safety, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that there is a clear need to increase the capacity of the State's nurseries to meet the growing demand for seedlings and planting stock. Your Committee further finds that increasing this capacity will help to support climate change mitigation, carbon neutrality, forest restoration, wildlife habitat improvements, agroforestry development, and diversified agriculture.

Your Committee notes that the Department of Land and Natural Resources has identified the necessary improvements and upgrades required for its nurseries. The Department of Land and Natural Resources also indicated that it would need an additional $200,000 each fiscal year to increase program reach and institute projects to meet this measure's purpose.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Correcting the reference to the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources of the University of Hawaii;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(3) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity and style.

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. 2531, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2531, S.D. 2.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair