STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1520

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 965

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation and Energy & Environmental Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 965, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GREEN TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish:

(1) A green infrastructure objectives and policies for transportation systems, infrastructure, and projects; and

(2) The Green Transportation Infrastructure Task Force to examine, evaluate, and develop policies for the design, implementation, and maintenance of green transportation infrastructure.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Office of Planning and Sustainable Development; Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission; University of Hawai‘i System; Outdoor Circle; Maui Metropolitan Planning Organization; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 50; Environmental Caucus of The Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; Kauai Climate Action Coalition; Hawai‘i Reef and Ocean Coalition; Climate Protectors Hawai‘i; Trees for Honolulu's Future; 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; and seven individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

Your Committees find that the companion to this measure, H.B. No. 1278, H.D. 1 (Regular Session of 2023), a substantially similar measure, was previously passed by the House.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting its contents and inserting the contents of H.B. No. 1278, H.D. 1, which:

(A) Further clarifying that the standards for tree care may include best practice standards appropriate for Hawaii;

(B) Removing the authority of the Director of Transportation to grant exemptions for certain projects in instances in which safety is a concern or is deemed necessary;

(C) Moving the definition of "green infrastructure" to section 264-141, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for clarity and consistency; and

(D) Adding a representative from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs on the Green Transportation Infrastructure Task Force; and

(2) Condensing the preamble for purposes of clarity and consistency; and

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

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Energy & Environmental Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 965, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 965, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Transportation and Energy & Environmental Protection,

____________________________ NICOLE E. LOWEN, Chair

____________________________ CHRIS TODD, Chair