STAND. COM. REP. NO. 321-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1994

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1994 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Shade Tree and Native Plants Program within the Department of Education; and

(2) Appropriate funds for the Shade Tree and Native Plants Program and for an arborist position to support the Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Climate Protectors Hawaii, Hawaii Farm to School Hui, Oahu Farm to School Network, Malama Kaua‘i, and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Education and Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that hotter temperatures induced by climate change affect a student's ability to play, gather, and learn outside while attending school. Your Committee further finds that one method to reduce the effect of hotter temperatures on students at public schools is to increase the tree canopy on school campuses, which will not only provide shade and heat reduction, but also will absorb storm water, clean the air, beautify campuses, and help reach county and state environmental goals. This measure will establish the Shade Tree and Native Plants Program to help grow native plant and fruit trees that will provide a comfortable shade in public school campuses throughout the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Providing the Department of Education the flexibility to implement the Shade Tree and Native Plants Program, rather than establishing requirements for the implementation of the Program; and

(2) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1994, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1994, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair