STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3011

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2372

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2372, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TREES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish base selection criteria for 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, adopt new exceptional tree selection criteria, and designate significant trees; and

(5) Direct the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the University of Hawaiʻi 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 and The Outdoor Circle.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Taxation.

Your Committee finds that across the State, mature urban trees are steadily declining due to development pressures, aging infrastructure, and inconsistent protections. This is detrimental to the environment, public health, and community resilience because the preservation of large canopy trees is a highly cost-effective natural infrastructure strategy. Mature trees intercept rainfall, stabilize soils, reduce runoff, and moderate temperatures, directly supporting the health of watersheds and communities. Your Committee further finds that, in addition to their water and land management benefits, exceptional trees serve as living landmarks that connect residents to history and place. This measure modernizes the State's Exceptional Tree Program to better protect its most distinguished trees for future generations.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2372, S.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.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair