STAND. COM. REP. NO. 196

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.B. No. 410

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 Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 410 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TREE PLANTING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require and appropriate funds for eighth grade and twelfth grade students in Hawaii public schools and University of Hawaii undergraduate students to plant trees.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Faith Action Environmental Justice Task Force, Kupu, and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, University of Hawai‘i System, Department of Education, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Trees for Honolulu's Future.

Your Committee finds that pursuing educational programs and projects that promote environmental protection, biodiversity, and climate change mitigation helps youth to cultivate socially responsible and conscious citizenry. This measure ensures the protection and restoration of Hawaii's environment and natural resources, while developing students into environmentally conscious adults.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that would have required and appropriated funds for eighth grade and twelfth grade students in Hawaii public schools and University of Hawaii undergraduate students to plant trees;

(2) Inserting language that requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Education to establish a pilot program where students can receive graduation credit for planting trees;

(3) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) 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. 410, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 410, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committees on Education and Higher Education & Technology.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________

NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair