STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 423
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2021
RE: H.B. No. 331
H.D. 1
Honorable Scott K. Saiki
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-First State Legislature
Regular Session of 2021
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 331, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE PLAN,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to:
(1) Establish
objectives, policies, and priority guidelines in the Hawaii State Planning Act
to promote the use of green infrastructure, vegetation, and trees in state
facility systems, infrastructure, and transit projects; and
(2) Require the Office of Planning, in partnership with the Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force, to report to the Legislature with recommendations for implementing the green infrastructure objectives, policies, and priority guidelines.
Your Committee
received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and
Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Office of Planning, Environmental
Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i,
350Hawaii, Climate Protectors Coalition, Trees for Honolulu's Future, and five
individuals.
Your Committee finds that sustainable design
concepts for public infrastructure incorporate green vegetation and trees,
which can produce significant improvements to mental health and have positive
psychological and quality of life benefits in a community. This measure ensures the establishment of
critical ecosystem services in the State and demonstrates the State's commitment
toward a zero emissions clean economy by 2045.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 331, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,
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____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair |
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