THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	144
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

amending the rules of the Senate to require each member to plant at least one food tree on state land.

WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Planning Act establishes the objective of expanding the State's agricultural base by promoting the growth of various agricultural crops and products and increasing Hawaii's agricultural self-sufficiency; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Planning Act also encourages the increased purchase and use of Hawaii-grown food and food products; and

WHEREAS, food trees, which are trees that are cultivated or managed for their edible products, are crucial to meeting these objectives; and

WHEREAS, each food tree planted is a step toward enhancing Hawaii's food security goals; and

WHEREAS, the planting of food trees on state lands can help to increase the productive and efficient use of those lands; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's elected leaders can set an example for others by actively participating in initiatives that promote locally sourced, sustainable food production; and

WHEREAS, as a starting point, each member of this body should plant at least one food tree on state land, now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that the Rules of the Senate shall be amended by adding Senate Rule 92, Planting of Food Trees, to read as follows:

"Rule 92. Planting of Food Trees.

Each member shall plant at least one food tree on state land during the term for which the member is elected to the Senate; provided that the member shall obtain prior approval from the appropriate state agency before planting the tree.

"Food tree" means a tree that is cultivated or managed for the tree's edible products."; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that new Senate Rule material is underscored; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the formatting of the rule may be changed to conform to the formatting of the most recent version of the Rules of the Senate; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the amendments made to the Rules of the Senate by this Resolution take effect upon the adoption of this Resolution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each agency of the State is requested to help identify specific lands located within each state legislative district appropriate for the planting of food trees; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, the head of each principal state department, and each member of this body.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Senate; Rules; Food Security; Sustainability; Planting of Food Trees; State Lands