STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3044

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2983

S.D. 1

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. 2983, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NATURAL RESOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the offense of criminal destruction of a tree on state or county property, punishable as a misdemeanor.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from three individuals.

Your Committee finds that trees offer significant benefits to the State including improving air quality, restoring healthy groundwater, and protecting marine ecosystems. Your Committee believes that increasing loss of tree canopy throughout the State can be mitigated through increased enforcement mechanisms for intentional tree destruction. This measure will ensure trees have the same protection as destruction of any other public property.

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. 2983, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair