Report Title:

Native Forests

Description:

Defines "native forest" for tax purposes.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

104

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO FOREST RESERVES.

 

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 183, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§183- Native forests. (a) For purposes of taxation, a native forest shall be defined as:

(1) A parcel with a minimum area of ten acres; or

(2) Adjoining parcels with total acreage of any amount;

provided there is a forest cover of sixty per cent or more that shall be composed in the majority of indigenous plants, as defined by the department of land and natural resources. Individual parcels within a group of adjoining parcels do not need to meet the cover requirement, but the adjoining parcels together must meet the cover requirement.

(b) For purposes of dedication, parcels or adjoining parcels failing to meet the cover or indigenous plants requirements may be recognized as native forests if the application for recognition is accompanied by a management plan specifying annual improvement schedules to either:

(1) Replace non-indigenous species with plants recommended by the division of forestry and wildlife for the area; or

(2) Plant indigenous plants on bare land;

provided the parcel or adjoining parcels meet statutory requirements within five years. The management plan must be approved by the department of land and natural resources, and progress on the plan shall be reviewed annually by the department for the statutory period. Certified arborists may be used for both recognition and reviewing purposes, subject to the department's approval."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

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