STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1003

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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 837, 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 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 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, Hawai‘i Reef and Ocean Coalition, Climate Protectors Hawai‘i, and two individuals. Your Committee has received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Commission, and The Envision Action Committee of Hawaii.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 837, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair