STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1213

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 361

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 361, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE GREEN JOBS YOUTH CORPS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Land and Natural Resources and its partner, or partners, for the continuation of the Green Jobs Youth Corps.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii State Energy Office, Holomua Collaborative, Kupu, Hawai‘i Energy, Kua ‘Āina Ulu ‘Auamo, Re-use Hawai‘i, HPM Building Supply, Hawai‘i Community Foundation, Hui o Hauula, The Nature Conservancy, Hawai‘i Reef and Ocean Coalition, and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Green Jobs Youth Corps Program, established in 2020, provides important employment and training opportunities for young adults interested in conservation, sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and other sustainability-related industries. Your Committee finds that the Program, which provides approximately one hundred workforce and training opportunities each year, not only helps to address youth unemployment, but helps the State to diversify the economy and reach its environmental and self-sustainability goals. Therefore, this measure will continue the Program and provide further opportunities for emerging professionals to gain skills related to natural resource management.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water and Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 361, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water and Land,

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair