HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

410

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

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.

 

 

 

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