Bill Text: HI SB2440 | 2020 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Environmental Protection.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-06 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [SB2440 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2020-SB2440-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2440 |
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THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that since western contact, Hawaii has lost nearly half of its native forest cover and the State's forests continue to be reduced by invasive species and wildfires. In recent years, Hawaii's cities have also experienced a dramatic decline in their urban tree cover, with Honolulu seeing a five per cent decline of its urban tree cover in less than a four-year period.
The legislature further finds that Act 15, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, among other things, sets a goal for the State to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. A tree planting program will assist the State in reaching this goal. In 2016, urban trees in Hawaii were estimated to sequester 410,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents annually―equal to the annual emissions of eighty-nine thousand cars. However, state and county lands cannot accommodate all the necessary tree plantings needed to achieve carbon neutrality. Community partnerships are therefore essential to meet the goal of carbon neutrality and improve the quality of life in Hawaii for present and future generations.
The legislature also finds that department of land and natural resources has implemented the Kaulunani urban and community forestry program with support from the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The United States Department of Agriculture grants approximately $200,000 annually for administering the state urban and community forestry program. The program supports statewide community-based, cost-share programs, including community-based tree planting projects. However, program funds are not sufficient to support all of the projects that seek funding, including a tree planting program.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $200,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for purposes of establishing a tree planting program, to be implemented by the Kaulunani urban and community forestry program within the department of land and natural resources' division of forestry and wildlife, including the establishment of one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) community partnership coordinator position; provided that no funds shall be made available under this Act unless funds are matched or leveraged by the Kaulunani community grant program.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and natural resources for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Climate Change; Carbon Neutrality; Kaulunani Urban and Community Forestry Program; Tree Planting Program; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds for the establishment of a tree planting program, to be implemented by the Kaulunani urban and community forestry program within the department of land and natural resources' division of forestry and wildlife, including the establishment of a community partnership coordinator position.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
