STAND. COM. REP. NO. 503-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 2665

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 2665 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 for the implementation of green infrastructure, vegetation, and trees in state facility systems, infrastructure, transit projects, and other areas;

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

(3) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaption Commission; Office of Planning and Sustainable Development; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; Ulupono Initiative; Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition; Climate Protectors Hawaiʻi; Trees for Honolulu's Future; Outdoor Circle; and five individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that the State must increase the implementation of green infrastructure and green spaces to help reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, replenish the water table, and promote the physical and mental health of the state's residents. This measure addresses this need by establishing objectives, policies, and priority guidelines for the implementation of green infrastructure, vegetation, and trees in state facility systems, infrastructure, transit projects, and other areas.

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 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. 2665, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2665, 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