STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3460

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 216

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Water and Land, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 216 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO REQUIRE ALL CERTIFIED ARBORISTS IN ITS EMPLOY TO ADHERE TO INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Land and Natural Resources to require all certified arborists in its employ to adhere to industry best practices.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from The Outdoor Circle and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that trees are essential for improving soil health and building climate resiliency in addition to a myriad of other benefits. Your Committee further finds that certified arborists are obligated to perform tree care and maintenance that meets industry standards and best practices. Your Committee concludes that requiring all certified arborists to adhere to industry best practices will ensure that tree care is properly performed in the State.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting findings to define "best practices" to mean adherence to the American National Standards A300 Tree Care standards;

(2) Clarifying that certified arborists employed by the Department of Land and Natural Resources includes contractors; and

(3) Amending its title in accordance with its amended purpose.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 216, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 216, S.D. 1.

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

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LORRAINE R. INOUYE, Chair