summary
Introduced
01/21/2026
01/21/2026
In Committee
02/20/2026
02/20/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Establishes base selection criteria for exceptional trees. Establishes the significant tree designation, selection criteria, and related processes. Establishes the State Arborist Advisory Committee within the Department of Land and Natural Resources for administrative purposes. Requires County Arborist Advisory Committees to have at least six members, adopt new exceptional tree selection criteria, and designate significant trees. Directs the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the University of Hawaii to cooperate with State and County Arborist Advisory Committees to carry out the Exceptional Trees Program. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
AI Summary
This bill establishes a framework for identifying and protecting exceptional and significant trees across Hawaii, creating a State Arborist Advisory Committee within the Department of Land and Natural Resources to oversee the program and provide guidance to county-level committees. County Arborist Advisory Committees, which will now require at least six members, will be responsible for designating exceptional trees based on a comprehensive set of criteria including age, aesthetics, ecological and environmental benefits, botanical and biological value, cultural significance, historical importance, and size, and will also designate "significant trees" which meet some of these criteria but to a lesser extent, serving an educational and outreach purpose. The bill also mandates that the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the University of Hawaii cooperate with these state and county committees to implement the Exceptional Trees Program, and it updates the definition of "exceptional tree" for tax purposes to align with these new provisions, with all changes set to take effect on July 1, 2050.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Justice
Sponsors (6)
Stanley Chang (D)*,
Kurt Fevella (R)*,
Carol Fukunaga (D)*,
Mike Gabbard (D)*,
Angus McKelvey (D)*,
Tim Richards (D)*,
Last Action
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 0 Excused: none. (on 02/27/2026)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2372&year=2026 |
| SB2372_SD1_TESTIMONY_JDC_02-27-26_ | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/Testimony/SB2372_SD1_TESTIMONY_JDC_02-27-26_.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2372_SD1_.HTM |
| Committee Report SB2372_SD1_SSCR2644_ | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/CommReports/SB2372_SD1_SSCR2644_.pdf |
| SB2372_TESTIMONY_AEN-WLA_02-11-26_ | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/Testimony/SB2372_TESTIMONY_AEN-WLA_02-11-26_.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/SB2372_.HTM |
Loading...