HB 1278: Hazardous Trees; Assessment; Removal; Appropriation

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HAZARDOUS TREE REMOVAL.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the department of land and natural resources' division of forestry and wildlife oversees nearly one million acres of public land across the State, including forest areas that abut residential property.  According to the 2023 State of Hawaii hazard mitigation plan, between January 2018 and December 2021, windstorm events alone significantly contributed to downed trees, which caused power outages, road closures, significant traffic delays, serious injuries, and several hundred thousand dollars' worth of damage to crops and property across the State.  Furthermore, the hazard mitigation plan asserts that natural habitats, such as forests, are some of the most vulnerable to damage from natural weather events.

     The legislature further finds that state-owned forests adjacent to residential areas must be maintained to protect the health and safety of communities from the possibility of downed trees during storms, wildfires, high winds, or other natural events, because fallen trees and branches from inadequately managed forest areas can cause severe damage to homes, vehicles, and critical infrastructure and endangers the lives of residents and first responders.  Effective monitoring and management of state forests abutting residential areas, including routine assessments and removal of dangerous tress, are necessary functions of the division of forestry and wildlife.

     Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of land and natural resources' division of forestry and wildlife for the assessment and removal of hazardous trees on state lands.

     SECTION 2.  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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the division of forestry and wildlife of the department of land and natural resources to assess and remove hazardous trees on state lands across Hawaii; provided that the sum shall be allocated for the following islands:

     (1)  $           for Kauai;

     (2)  $           for Oahu;

     (3)  $           for Maui; and

     (4)  $           for Hawaii island.

The sums 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, 3000.

Report Title:

Hazardous Trees; Assessment; Removal; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for the assessment and removal of hazardous trees on state lands across Hawaii.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD2)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HAZARDOUS TREE REMOVAL.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the department of land and natural resources' division of forestry and wildlife oversees nearly one million acres of public land across the State, including forest areas that abut residential property.  According to the 2023 State of Hawaii hazard mitigation plan, between January 2018 and December 2021, windstorm events alone significantly contributed to downed trees, which caused power outages, road closures, significant traffic delays, serious injuries, and several hundred thousand dollars' worth of damage to crops and property across the State.  Furthermore, the hazard mitigation plan asserts that natural habitats, such as forests, are some of the most vulnerable to damage from natural weather events.

     The legislature further finds that state-owned forests adjacent to residential areas must be maintained to protect the health and safety of communities from the possibility of downed trees during storms, wildfires, high winds, or other natural events, because fallen trees and branches from inadequately managed forest areas can cause severe damage to homes, vehicles, and critical infrastructure and endangers the lives of residents and first responders.  Effective monitoring and management of state forests abutting residential areas, including routine assessments and removal of dangerous tress, are necessary functions of the division of forestry and wildlife.

     Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of land and natural resources' division of forestry and wildlife for the assessment and removal of hazardous trees on state lands.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $165,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the division of forestry and wildlife of the department of land and natural resources to assess and remove hazardous trees on state lands across Hawaii; provided that the sum shall be allocated for the following islands:

     (1)  $15,000 for Kauai;

     (2)  $25,000 for Oahu;

     (3)  $50,000 for Maui; and

     (4)  $75,000 for Hawaii island.

The sums 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, 3000.

Report Title:

Hazardous Trees; Assessment; Removal; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for the assessment and removal of hazardous trees on state lands across Hawaii.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to hazardous tree removal.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the department of land and natural resources' division of forestry and wildlife oversees nearly one million acres of public land across the State, including forest areas that abut residential property.  According to the 2023 State of Hawaii hazard mitigation plan, windstorm events alone significantly contributed to downed trees, which caused power outages, road closures, significant traffic delays, serious injuries, and several hundred thousand dollars' worth of damage to crops and property across the State between January 2018 and December 2021.  Furthermore, the hazard mitigation plan asserts that natural habitats, such as forests, are some of the most vulnerable to damage from natural weather events.

     The legislature further finds that state-owned forests adjacent to residential areas must be maintained to protect the health and safety of communities from the possibility of downed trees during storms, wildfires, high winds, or other natural events, because fallen trees and branches from inadequately managed forest areas can cause severe damage to homes, vehicles, and critical infrastructure and endangers the lives of residents and first responders.  Effective monitoring and management of state forests abutting residential areas, including routine assessments and removal of dangerous tress, are necessary functions of the division of forestry and wildlife.

     Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of land and natural resources' division of forestry and wildlife for the assessment and removal of hazardous trees on state lands.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $165,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the division of forestry and wildlife of the department of land and natural resources to assess and remove hazardous trees on state lands across Hawaii; provided that the sum shall be allocated as follows:

     (1)  $15,000 for Kauai;

     (2)  $25,000 for Oahu;

     (3)  $50,000 for Maui; and

     (4)  $75,000 for Hawaii island.

The sums 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, 2025.

Report Title:

Hazardous Trees; Assessment; Removal; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds for the assessment and removal of hazardous trees on state lands across Hawaii.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1157

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1278

      H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1278, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HAZARDOUS TREE REMOVAL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the assessment and removal of hazardous trees on state lands.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Big Island Invasive Species Committee.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the appropriations and allocations to unspecified amounts.

     Your Committee notes that the Department of Land and Natural Resources would require $165,000 in each fiscal year to be allocated to the following islands to implement this measure:

     (1)  $15,000 for Kauai;

     (2)  $25,000 for Oahu;

     (3)  $50,000 for Maui; and

     (4)  $75,000 for Hawaii island.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1278, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1278, H.D. 2.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  356

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 1278

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred H.B. No. 1278 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HAZARDOUS TREE REMOVAL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the assessment and removal of hazardous trees on state lands.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that according to the 2023 State of Hawaii Hazard Mitigation Plan, windstorm events significantly contribute to downed trees, which can cause power outages, road closures, significant traffic delays, and serious injuries.  Your Committee further finds that the State has a duty to maintain state-owned forests adjacent to residential areas to protect the health and safety of these communities from the dangers posed by downed trees.  Your Committee believes that providing the Department of Land and Natural Resources with dedicated funds for the assessment and removal of hazardous trees on state lands will enable the Department to promptly address hazardous trees and protect human life and property.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1278, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1278, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,