STAND. COM. REP. NO. 559

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 837

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 837 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 achieve the use of green infrastructure, vegetation, and trees in state facility systems, infrastructure, transit projects, and other areas; and

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

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Reef and Ocean Coalition, Climate Protectors Hawai‘i, The Outdoor Circle, and six individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Chief Housing Officer of the Office of the Governor.

Your Committee finds that the effects of climate change have made implementing sustainable design concepts more critical, as each passing year has seen increased temperatures and other impacts from climate change. Incorporating green vegetation and trees for public infrastructure has been found to decrease urban temperatures, reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and capture water to replenish the water table. This measure ensures the establishment of critical green infrastructure in the State and demonstrates the State's commitment toward a zero emissions clean economy by 2045.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Providing more flexibility in the standards to be used for maintaining trees to include the ANSI A300 and similar best practice standards appropriate for Hawaii for tree care;

(2) Clarifying the priority of the use of Hawaiian plants as it relates to priority guidelines to promote the use of green infrastructure in state facility systems, infrastructure, transit projects, and other areas;

(3) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) 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 Energy & Environmental Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 837, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 837, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair