STAND. COM. REP. NO. 101

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 331

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Government Reform, to which was referred H.B. No. 331 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE PLAN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to improve the quality of life in the State by:

(1) Establishing objectives, policies, and priority guidelines in the Hawaii State Planning Act to promote the use of green infrastructure, vegetation, and trees in state facility systems, infrastructure, and transit projects; and

(2) Requiring the Office of Planning, in partnership with the Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force, to report to the Legislature with 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; Office of Planning; Life of the Land; Our Revolution Hawaii; Trees for Honolulu's Future; Climate Protectors Coalition; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; Smart Trees Pacific; 350Hawaii.org; Painting Industry of Hawaii Labor Management Cooperation Trust Fund; Hawaii Tapers Market Recovery Trust Fund; Hawaii Glaziers, Architectural Metal Glassworkers Local Union 1889 AFL-CIO Stabilization Trust Fund; Carpet, Linoleum and Soft Tile Local Union 1926 Market Recovery Trust Fund; Democratic Environmental Impact Committee; Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; and nine individuals.

Your Committee finds that the effects of climate change have made implementing sustainable design concepts more critical, with each passing year seeing an increase in temperatures and other impacts from climate change. Your Committee further finds that the State's commitment to upholding the Paris Climate Accord and a progressive move toward a zero emissions clean economy by 2045 requires that Hawaii actively invest in reducing emissions and greenhouse gases. Your Committee believes that increasing the development and use of green infrastructure in the State, as proposed by this measure, will increase the quality of life for residents and visitors, provide critical ecosystem services for the State, and show the world that Hawaii is a leader in taking action toward a safe and sustainable climate and future.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2112, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to look into the possibility of using federal funds to carry out the purposes of this measure.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Reform that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 331, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 331, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Government Reform,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair