STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2672

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3002

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 3002 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII STATE PLANNING ACT,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish green infrastructure objectives, policies, and priority guidelines for state facility systems, infrastructure, and transit projects in the Hawaii State Planning Act to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors;

(2) Add a definition of "green infrastructure"; and

(3) Require the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to submit a report to the Legislature making recommendations for implementing green infrastructure objectives, policies, and priority guidelines.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Trees for Honolulu's Future, Hawaiʻi Reef and Ocean Coalition, and one individual.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development.

Your Committees find that climate change and mental health struggles have significant impacts on communities. Your Committees further find that studies have proven that incorporating more green vegetation into areas have a positive environmental effect and the people who live in those areas experience better physical and mental health. Your Committees believe that there is a need to increase the number of parks and green spaces in the State's urban core because residents and tourists actively seek out green spaces. This measure therefore will improve the quality of life of residents and visitors.

Your Committees note the concerns raised in testimony and discussed at the public hearing on this measure. Due to the time constraints of the legislative calendar, your Committees have not amended this measure at this time; however, your Committees intend to continue working with stakeholders to address the concerns raised in testimony and to resolve outstanding issues as the measure moves forward through the legislative process.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Government Operations that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3002 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Water, Land, Culture and the Arts and Government Operations,

________________________________ ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair

________________________________ CHRIS LEE, Chair