STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1832-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2372

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2372, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TREES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish base selection criteria for designating exceptional trees;

(2) Establish the significant tree designation, selection criteria, and related processes;

(3) Establish the State Arborist Advisory Committee within the Department of Land and Natural Resources for administrative purposes;

(4) Require County Arborist Advisory Committees to have at least six members and designate significant trees; and

(5) Direct the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the University of Hawaii to cooperate with State and County Arborist Advisory Committees to carry out the Exceptional Trees Program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Kona Community Development Plan Action Committee, County of Hawaiʻi; The Outdoor Circle; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Taxation and Office of Boards and Commissions of the County of Kauaʻi.

Your Committee finds that the preservation of large canopy trees is a highly cost‑effective natural infrastructure strategy and that exceptional trees serve as living landmarks that connect communities to history and place. Your Committee further finds that mature urban trees across the State are increasingly threatened by development pressures, aging infrastructure, and inconsistent protections. This measure seeks to provide a clear framework to protect these natural, living resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring each County Arborist Advisory Committee to have at least five, rather than at least six, members; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2372, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2372, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair