REP. YAMANE'S SUSTAINABILITY BILLS MOVING FORWARD AT LEGISLATURE

Measures deal with net-zero energy, planning and implementation of goals, climate change coordination, and a green new deal study

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Four bills intended to keep critical sustainability issues moving forward were introduced this legislative session by Representative Ryan I. Yamane (Mililani, Waipio Gentry, Waikele) and have been assigned to be heard in House committee hearings this week.

"These set of bills are taking a bold step in planning our sustainable future. These bills address climate change, sustainable food production, and long term land use," said Rep. Yamane. "The goals of these measures is to imbed the vision of sustainability in all of our future decisions."

HB2704 will be heard before a joint hearing of the House Energy & Environmental Protection and the Water, Land & Hawaiian Affairs committees at 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 5 in room 325 at the State Capitol.

HB2704 requires the State Department of Land and Natural Resources and the State Judiciary to make improvements to state facilities to reach goals of net-zero energy and 100 percent water reclamation by January 1, 2035 and January 1, 2045, respectively

HB2029, HB2486 and HB2487 will be heard before a joint hearing of the House Energy & Environmental Protection and the Water, Land & Hawaiian Affairs committees at 9:15 a.m. Thursday, February 6 in room 325 at the State Capitol.

HB2209 establishes a statewide sustainability division within the office of planning to ensure long-term planning, coordination, and implementation of Hawaii's sustainability goals and policies. Appropriates funds.

HB2486 updates and reaffirms the role of the office of planning to coordinate among state agencies regarding climate change adaptation and sustainability.

HB2487 requires the sustainability coordinator of the office of planning to complete a study on implementing a green new deal for the State. Requires the study to identify federal and international polices; review Hawaiʻi's environmental, economic, and cultural response to the green new deal; and determine cost-effective opportunities for Hawaiʻi to implement the green new deal.

“We appreciate planning bills like HB 2486, to strengthen the state’s ability to plan for sustainable development and climate adaptation for Hawaiʻi’s future," said Danielle Bass, State Sustainability Coordinator. "We look forward to advancing Hawaiʻi’s sustainability and climate adaptation goals and policies with the support of Governor Ige and the Hawaiʻi’s State Legislature, and in coordination with Hawaiʻi’s Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission and our state and county partners.” 

To see all bills introduced during the 30^th Legislature by Rep. Yamane as the first primary introducer, go to https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/advreports/advreport.aspx?report=intro&year=2020&leg=Yamane&rpt_type=first_pri