STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1364

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 1162

S.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water & Land and Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 1162, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FOREST STEWARDSHIP,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to update the Forest Stewardship Program administered by the Board of Land and Natural Resources by:

(1) Clarifying the purpose of the Forest Stewardship Program;

(2) Expanding the areas of approved management activities and practices that are eligible for cost-share assistance under the Forest Stewardship Program;

(3) Increasing the limit for payments from the Forest Stewardship Fund for development of approved management plans and allowing payments from the Fund for implementation of approved management plans; and

(4) Amending requirements for applicants to receive Forest Stewardship Program funds.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Climate Protectors Hawai‘i; Hāloa ‘Āina L.L.C.; Forest Solutions, Inc; and one individual.

Your Committees find that sixty-six percent of Hawaii's forested areas are privately owned and managed. The Forest Stewardship Program provides technical and financial assistance on a cost-share basis to private landowners to promote the stewardship, enhancement, conservation, and restoration of Hawaii's forests. By extending program eligibility to private forest managers and expanding the ecosystem services that may be provided by private forests, your Committees find that this measure will improve forest management on private lands, expand conservation of native forests, increase reforestation of degraded lands, and stimulate investment in forestry as an economically viable and sustainable land-use practice.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water & Land and Energy & Environmental Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1162, S.D. 2, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water & Land and Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair

____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair