STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 356
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.B. No. 1278
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1278 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HAZARDOUS TREE REMOVAL,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The
purpose of this measure is to appropriate
funds for the assessment and removal of hazardous trees on state lands.
Your Committee finds that according to the 2023 State of Hawaii Hazard Mitigation Plan, windstorm events significantly contribute to downed trees, which can cause power outages, road closures, significant traffic delays, and serious injuries. Your Committee further finds that the State has a duty to maintain state-owned forests adjacent to residential areas to protect the health and safety of these communities from the dangers posed by downed trees. Your Committee believes that providing the Department of Land and Natural Resources with dedicated funds for the assessment and removal of hazardous trees on state lands will enable the Department to promptly address hazardous trees and protect human life and property.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1278, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1278, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,
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____________________________ MARK J. HASHEM, Chair |
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