SB 2336: Trees; Public Lands; Arborists; Professionals; Contractors; Best Management Practices

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO TREES.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that trees are essential for improving soil health and building climate resiliency.  Trees recycle carbon dioxide into oxygen, lower air temperatures, provide shade and shelter, stabilize soil, prevent soil erosion, support the capture and conservation of the State's water supply, help remediate pollutants, and cut down on noise pollution by acting as sound barriers.

     The legislature further finds that the standards and best practices of the tree care industry not only reflect the knowledge of specialists in the field and the latest in research findings, but also raise the level of professionalism and public confidence in the field of tree care.  All professional individuals who plant, prune, transplant, fertilize, monitor and treat for insects and diseases, and remove trees and other woody plants have an obligation to perform work that meets these industry standards and best practices.  The legislature notes that the State has a duty to care for all trees on public lands, including forests and urban lands.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require any state department, office, or agency that manages trees to ensure that all arborists or other professionals in its employ or under contract who manage trees or lands that will impact public trees adhere to best management practices.

     SECTION 2.  Any state department, office, or agency that manages trees shall require and enforce that all arborists and other professionals in its employ, including contractors, who manage trees or lands that will impact public trees adhere to best management practices in tree management and arboriculture-related care.

     For the purposes of this section, "best management practices" means the American National Standards Institute A300 Tree Care standards and associated best management practices.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2525.

Report Title:

Trees; Public Lands; Arborists; Professionals; Contractors; Best Management Practices

Description:

Requires State departments, offices, and agencies to ensure and enforce that all arborists and other professionals in its employ, including contractors, who manage trees or lands that will impact public trees adhere to best management practices.  Effective 7/1/2525.  (SD1)

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 trees.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that trees are essential for improving soil health and building climate resiliency.  Trees absorb carbon dioxide and supply oxygen, lower air temperatures, provide shade and shelter, stabilize soil, prevent soil erosion, support the capture and conservation of the State's water supply, help remediate pollutants, and cut down on noise pollution by acting as sound barriers.

     The legislature further finds that the standards and best practices of the tree care industry not only reflect the knowledge of specialists in the field and the latest in research findings, but also raise the level of professionalism and public confidence in the field of tree care.  All professional individuals who plant, prune, transplant, fertilize, monitor and treat for insects and diseases, and remove trees and other woody plants, have an obligation to perform work that meets these industry standards and best practices.  The legislature notes that the State has a duty to care for all trees on public lands, including forests and urban lands.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to require any State department, office, agency, or political subdivision that manages trees to ensure that all arborists or other professionals in its employ or under contract who manage trees or lands that will impact public trees to adhere to best management practices.

     SECTION 2.  Any State department, office, agency, or political subdivision that manages trees shall require and enforce all arborists and other professionals managing trees or lands that will impact public trees in its employ, including contractors, to adhere to best management practices in tree management and arboriculture-related care.

     For the purposes of this section, "best management practices" means the American National Standards Institute A300 Tree Care standards and associated best management practices.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Trees; Public Lands; Arborists; Professionals; Contractors; Best Management Practices

Description:

Requires the State or political subdivision to ensure and enforce that all arborists and other professionals managing trees or lands that will impact public trees in its employ, including contractors, adhere to best management practices.

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. 2410

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:     S.B. No. 2336

        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 Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2336 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TREES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the State and political subdivisions to ensure and enforce that all arborists and other professionals in its employ, including contractors, who manage trees or lands that will impact public trees adhere to best management practices.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Outdoor Circle and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that all professionals in the tree care industry have a duty to perform work to the best industry standards, which are designed not only to protect cherished natural resources but also to save the State money from poorly executed tree care.  Your Committee additionally finds that many state arborists have been required to perform work for the State that requires them to violate their professional standards and the best practices of the industry.  This measure will remove ethical conflicts, elevate the professionalism of tree care professionals in the State, and better preserve the State's natural resources by ensuring all work performed on state trees is done to the recognized, existing industry standard and associated best practices.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Deleting language that would have required political subdivisions to ensure that all arborists or other contractors or professionals in their employ adhere to best management practices;

     (2)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2525, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2336, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2336, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Government Operations,