STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3315

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3171

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 3171, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE GREEN ENVIRONMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to ensure the continued protection and preservation of the State's public parks and green recreational open spaces as an interconnected multi-use system, also known as the "lei of green."

More specifically, this measure:

(1) Adds objectives, policies, and implementation guidelines to the Hawaii State Planning Act regarding planning for the lei of green;

(2) Requires the Office of Planning to implement the lei of green policy in coordination with state and county departments and to report to the 2022 Legislature and the Governor on the status of the policy's implementation; and

(3) Appropriates $400,000 to the Office of Planning for costs associated with researching, compiling, and submitting the status report.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Trees for Honolulu's Future, The Outdoor Circle, Oahu Island Parks Conservancy, Hawaii's Thousand Friends, Hawaii Public Health Association, and six individuals.

Your Committee finds that the measure's codification in the Hawaii State Planning Act of objectives, policies, and implementation guidelines for the lei of green policy and requirement of inter-agency coordination among the State and counties will help to maintain and improve the natural beauty and sustainability of the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(3) Making technical nonsubstantive changes for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3171, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3171, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair