Bill > HB1185

This bill establishes a Plant-based Building Materials Working Group within the University of Hawaii at Manoa's College of Tropical Agriculture to study and develop strategies for growing and producing plant-based building materials in Hawaii. The working group will consist of representatives from various agricultural and environmental organizations, including university deans, the Board of Agriculture, and climate change experts, as well as four invited experts in plant-based building materials and building material construction. The group's primary objectives are to explore how Hawaii's unique climate can support the growth of alternative building materials like bamboo, hempcrete, and biocements, with potential benefits including creating green agricultural jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The working group is required to submit an interim report before the 2026 legislative session and a final report with findings and recommendations before the 2027 legislative session, after which the group will be dissolved. The bill appropriates funds from the state's general revenues to support the working group's activities during fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, with the University of Hawaii responsible for managing the expenditures. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 3000 (which appears to be a typographical error and likely meant to be 2024 or another near-future date).

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance, Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1185&year=2026