STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1070

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 167

S.D. 1

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 Government Reform, to which was referred S.B. No. 167, S.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 improve the quality of life in the State by:

(1) Establishing objectives, policies, and priority guidelines for state facility systems in the Hawaii State Planning Act to achieve the use of green infrastructure, vegetation, and trees in state facility systems, infrastructure, and transit projects; and

(2) Requiring the Office of Planning, in partnership with the Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force, to make recommendations to the Legislature for implementing green infrastructure objectives, policies, and priority guidelines.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Office of Planning, Americans for Democratic Action, 350Hawaii.org, Trees for Honolulu's Future, Climate Protectors Hawaii, and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the effects of climate change have made implementing sustainable design concepts more critical, with each passing year seeing an increase in temperatures and other impacts from climate change. Your Committee further finds that the State is committed to upholding the Paris Climate Accord and moving toward a zero emissions clean economy by 2045, which will require the State to actively invest in reducing emissions and greenhouse gases. Your Committee believes that establishing green infrastructure objectives, policies, and guidelines for state projects will increase the quality of life for residents and visitors, provide critical ecosystem services for the State, and demonstrate the State's commitment toward a zero emissions clean economy by 2045.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Making it effective upon its approval; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Reform that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 167, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 167, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Government Reform,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair