Bill Text: HI HB410 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Tree Planting.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-12-10 - Carried over to 2022 Regular Session. [HB410 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2022-HB410-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
410 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to tree planting.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that trees provide a myriad
of benefits, including reducing climate change, purifying the air, cooling streets,
providing a natural form of air conditioning, saving water by preventing excess
evaporation, preventing water runoff by helping rainwater enter the soil, providing
habitats for wildlife, reinforcing the soil, and controlling erosion.
The legislature further finds that pursuing
educational programs and projects that promote environmental protection,
biodiversity, and climate change mitigation helps youth and young adults to cultivate
socially responsible and conscious citizenry.
The legislature believes that a program involving
youth and young adults planting trees will not only help to protect the environment
and improve Hawaii, but will also develop environmentally conscious adults.
The purpose of this Act is to promote the various
benefits of trees by requiring certain students to plant them.
SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section part II, subpart B, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§302A- Legacy
tree planting. (a) Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, each
public school eighth-grade student shall plant not less than thirty trees and each
public school twelfth-grade student shall plant not less than thirty trees. The planted trees shall be a living legacy to the
environment and future generations.
(b) The department of education may coordinate the
planting of the trees with the other departments or nonprofit organizations.
(c) The planted species of tress shall be
appropriate for the location, climate, and topography. Preference shall be given to tree species that
are indigenous to Hawaii."
SECTION 3. Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new subpart to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
" . Graduation Requirements
§304A-
Legacy tree planting. (a)
Beginning January 1, 2023, the requirements for any student to be awarded a
bachelor's degree from any campus of the university of Hawaii system shall include
the requirement that the student plant not less than thirty trees while enrolled
as a student of the university of Hawaii system.
(b) The university of Hawaii may coordinate the planting
of the trees with other departments or nonprofit organizations.
(c) The planted species of tress shall be
appropriate for the location, climate, and topography. Preference shall be given to tree species that
are indigenous to Hawaii."
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2021-2022 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the planting of trees by eighth and twelfth grade public school students.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of education for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2021-2022 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 for the planting of trees by university of Hawaii students.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the university of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
DOE; UH; Tree Planting; Graduation Requirement
Description:
Requires that
eighth grade students and twelfth grade students in Hawaii public schools along
with University of Hawaii undergraduate students plant trees.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
