HB2754 HD1

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Hawaii's climate, with a year-round growing season and ample rain in many areas, has several potential advantages for growing plant-based materials that can be processed into structural building materials. For example, there are types of clumping bamboo that can grow very rapidly with sufficient water; be processed into building materials that are stronger, more flexible, and lighter than timber or steel; and be made more fire and termite-resistant than wood. "Hempcrete" developed from industrial hemp can substitute for building blocks, and "biocements" produced from cyanobacteria (blue-green algae or "pond scum") can substitute for Portland cement. The legislature further finds that these plant-based materials and others could bring green agriculture jobs to Hawaii.

The legislature further finds that these plant-based materials could also help Hawaii meet its net negative carbon and greenhouse gas goals because they sequester carbon, whereas production of traditional building materials, such as timber, steel, and cement, emit very large amounts of greenhouse gases.

The legislature finds that the development of plant-based building materials in the State is a matter of statewide concern.

The purpose of this Act is to establish and appropriate funds for a working group to report on how best to grow plants and develop plant-based building materials in Hawaii and provide green jobs, while sequestering carbon and greenhouse gases to help reach the State's climate target.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established a plant-based building materials working group to study how best to grow plants for development of plant-based building materials in Hawaii and provide green agricultural jobs, while sequestering carbon and greenhouse gases to help achieve the State's climate target.

(b) The working group shall consist of the following:

(1) The dean and director of the university of Hawaii at Manoa college of tropical agriculture and human resources or the dean and director's designee, who shall serve as chairperson;

(2) Four individuals who have expertise in growing or producing plant-based building materials, to be invited by the dean and director of the university of Hawaii college of tropical agriculture and human resources;

(3) The director of the university of Hawaii at Hilo college of agriculture, forestry, and natural resource management, or the director's designee;

(4) The chairperson of the board of agriculture, or the chairperson's designee;

(5) The coordinator of the Hawaii climate change mitigation and adaptation commission;

(6) The state sustainability coordinator;

(7) The president of the Hawaii Farm Bureau;

(8) An expert in building materials, who the chairperson, in consultation with the General Contractors Association of Hawaii, shall invite; and

(9) Additional members with appropriate specialized expertise, as recommended by the members of the working group, at the discretion of the chairperson.

(c) Members of the working group shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred, including travel expenses. No member of the working group shall be made subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation as a member of the working group.

(d) The working group shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2026.

(e) The working group shall be dissolved on June 30, 2026.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 to assist the plant-based building materials working group in its study for the development of plant-based building materials in the State.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37‑91 and 37‑93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No. , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $ or per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $ or per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2754
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII